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Jaswant Shetra
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, July 17
The heavy rain that lashed the region on Tuesday virtually brought the city to a standstill. A majority of areas in the city were flooded with knee-deep rainwater due to inadequate arrangements for water drainage, causing lot of problems for residents.
Traffic moved at snail's pace and frequent traffic jams were witnessed on different city roads. Commuters had to face a lot of problems in reaching their destinations on time amid rain.
Areas near Clock Tower, Railway Station, Civil Hospital, Bus Stand and Haibowal were worst-hit as rainwater accumulated in these areas. No traffic cop was present to regulate the traffic in these areas during the rain.
Similar was the situation on Ferozpur Road and Chandigarh Road where a lot of rainwater accumulated in various localities. In New Kudnapuri area, the residents were seen removing dirty water of Buddha Nullah from their houses.
"Our locality was flooded with dirty water of Buddah Nullah. It has been due to delay caused by the MC authorities in cleaning the nullah that we have been facing these problems," said Sagar, a resident of New Kundanpuri area.
Rainwater entered the houses and shops located in Old Grain Market, causing heavy loss to shopkeepers.
Jagraon Municipal Council President Charanjit Kaur said most of the drains were cleaned recently. "Except few areas, we had cleaned all the drains before the rain. Despite our efforts, the rainwater accumulated in some lower parts of the town because it rained heavily", said she.
Road caves in
A portion of road near Yes Bank on Pakhowal Road caved in due to rain. This road was damaged at many locations. There were reports of road cave in from Tajpur Road and Chandighar Road also.
Ahmedgarh/ Raikot: Residents of low-lying localities, including villages were worst affected as rainwater entered into their homes. Submerged link roads, with eroded berms posed threat to commuters. Almost all roads and streets of the region falling under the Ludhiana and Sangrur districts were flooded. Railway road, Jawahar Nagar, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Chowk area, Bajrang Akhara Road besides, residential and commercial areas at Pakhowal, Brahampur, Chhapar, Jand, Jartauli, Bhaini, Malaudh, Kup Kalan and Latala were among worst affected localities. The elected representatives of affected regions were seen consoling residents. Students, teachers and employees had to wade through knee-deep water to reach their respective destinations. Amar Singh, a milk vendor said eroded berms and potholes on submerged link roads connecting the town with Pakhowal, Maholi and Barundi, posed threat to commuters. Municipal Council president Suraaj Mohammad said officials led by Executive Officer Gurdeep Singh Bhogal have been advised to be extra cautious during rainy days. “We have tried to make maximum arrangements for draining out rainwater from localities. Infrastructure installed during past decade has proven to be inadequate as the town has expanded,” he said. OC
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