Chandigarh Braces for Five Days Heavy Rain

Chandigarh , the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana, is once again on high alert as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings of continuous rainfall over the next five days. According to the forecast, heavy showers are expected from August 22 to August 26, raising concerns for residents who only two days ago saw large parts of the city submerged under water.

On Tuesday, the city witnessed severe flooding after just a few hours of intense rain. Roads turned into streams, underpasses filled with water, and traffic came to a standstill, leaving citizens struggling to reach home or work. Several residential colonies also reported water entering houses, highlighting the fragile state of the city’s drainage system.

Now, with five days of predicted rainfall ahead, anxiety among locals is rising. The administration has already begun preparations to tackle the situation. Emergency teams, including the Municipal Corporation staff and disaster management units, have been directed to stay on high alert. Pumps have been installed in vulnerable low-lying areas, and sandbags are being placed to prevent water from entering residential complexes.

Officials have assured citizens that lessons have been learned from the recent flooding. Extra machinery has been deployed at underpasses, which often become the worst-hit during heavy showers. The administration has also appealed to people to avoid unnecessary travel during peak rain hours and not to venture into waterlogged areas for their own safety.

For daily wage workers, shopkeepers, and small business owners, the forecast comes as troubling news. Repeated flooding has already led to economic losses, with many shops and stalls damaged by water. If the rain continues with the same intensity, the damage could be more widespread. Residents also fear disruptions in power supply and waterlogging in markets, which directly affect their livelihoods.

Environmental experts say the problem lies not only in heavy rainfall but also in poor planning and over-concretization. Chandigarh, known for its well-structured layout, now faces challenges of blocked drains, encroachments, and excessive construction that does not allow water to flow naturally. Experts have warned that unless long-term solutions are implemented, such flooding incidents will repeat every monsoon.

Meanwhile, citizens are relying heavily on real-time weather updates and social media alerts. Many housing societies are stocking up on essential supplies like drinking water, packaged food, and medicines to avoid last-minute struggles if mobility is hampered. Schools and offices are also considering contingency plans, including possible online classes and work-from-home measures, should the situation worsen.

Despite the looming crisis, many residents are hopeful that timely warnings and improved preparedness may prevent a repeat of Tuesday’s chaos. Still, the next five days will test the resilience of both the administration and the people of Chandigarh. Whether the city weathers this monsoon smoothly or once again succumbs to flooding depends on how effectively the preparedness measures are executed.