Chandigarh Struggles Again as Heavy Rain Floods City
An evening downpour on Tuesday turned Chandigarh’s roads into streams. Vehicles crawled through knee‑deep water, and commuters were stranded in massive traffic jams.
From Sector 17 and 22 to Hallomajra, the city’s infrastructure buckled under two hours of intense rain. Even hours later, many roads, parking lots, and homes remained submerged.
Traffic Chaos
Madhya Marg near Sector 26 saw a portion of the road cave in. Uprooted trees and broken branches narrowed lanes further. Commuters faced hours of gridlock, with two‑wheelers struggling against potholes and hidden manholes. Residents complained about the absence of traffic police at key junctions.
Homes and Markets Hit
Water entered shops, basements, and homes across several sectors. Sector 22’s busy market was flooded, disrupting business activity. Shopkeepers used boards and rags to block water, but customers stayed away. Parks and residential areas also remained inundated.
Fallen Trees Add to Trouble
Heavy branches blocked roads, raising concerns about delays for ambulances and emergency services. Residents warned that congested stretches could prove dangerous during crises.
Familiar Monsoon Failure
The flooding once again exposed weaknesses in the city’s drainage system. Despite annual pre‑monsoon cleaning drives, known waterlogging hotspots flooded as usual. Residents demanded accountability, saying heavy rain can no longer be treated as an “unexpected” event.
Official Response
A Municipal Corporation official admitted that intense rainfall strains the ageing drainage network. They claimed routine cleaning helps water recede faster and said upgrades are underway. Yet, by late evening, many parts of Chandigarh were still waterlogged.
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