Overnight Downpour Cripples Life in Chandigarh Tricity

Chandigarh | The overnight downpour disrupted normal life in Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula, creating near-flood conditions. The incessant rain began late Thursday night and continued until the early hours of Friday.

Most parts of the tricity were submerged under knee-deep water. Several major roads were damaged, forcing authorities to close traffic on these stretches.

Though residents woke up to a sunny day, the overnight rain caused massive traffic jams. In Chandigarh, the Madhya Marg grid, Tribune Chowk, and Transport Chowk witnessed long queues of vehicles. Several road stretches leading to Panchkula, the railway station, and IT Park, which suffered major water damage, remained closed.

Reports also emerged of trees and poles falling on vehicles and public property. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for heavy rain till Tuesday.

Record Rain in Panchkula

Panchkula recorded 112.5 mm of rainfall, the highest this season and the heaviest in the northern region.

Traffic Chaos in Chandigarh

Chandigarh saw major traffic jams on Madhya Marg, with waterlogging affecting nearby roads near Sector 26. Office hour traffic was also disrupted near PGI and Sector 17-9-8-18 intersections. The situation worsened due to uprooted trees and collapsed roads.

Lightning Strike in Sector 7-C

A lightning strike was reported in Sector 7-C on Thursday night. No injuries occurred, though a few parked cars were damaged.

Mohali Floods Houses

In Mohali, Phase 11 residents staged a protest after rainwater flooded the ground floors of LIG and MIG houses, damaging household goods. Fire tenders were deployed to drain water, and residents held a sit-in, raising slogans against the Mohali MC, Punjab government, and GMADA. The protest ended after officials, including MC Commissioner Parminder Pal Singh, intervened.

Farmer Swept Away in Lalru

A 65-year-old farmer, Janak Singh Saini, was reportedly swept away in the Jharmal rivulet in Lalru while returning from his fields in a cart. The cart overturned, and though his cattle were recovered, Janak Singh remained missing. Police are actively searching for him.