Mohali: The condition of stormwater drainage in Mohali, Zirakpur, Kharar and Nayagaon was exposed in just three hours of rain on Tuesday morning.It was a chaotic day, with traffic crawling and residents wading through submerged roads and waterlogged streets. It looked like a veritable flood.Major roads across Mohali city, Zirakpur, Kharar and Nayagaon remained inundated after the downpour, resulting in massive traffic jams during peak morning hours.Commuters were stranded in long queues as vehicles moved at snail’s pace through waterlogged stretches. Several motorists were forced to take longer routes, while two-wheelers struggled to negotiate flooded roads, increasing the risk of accidents.In residential areas, rainwater accumulated up to one to three feet. In several areas, dirty water entered houses. People faced great difficulty stepping out of their homes, while children, senior citizens and office-goers bore the brunt of the flooding.Roads which had been dug up for development works became slippery and dangerous for pedestrians and motorists. Water pooled in on many stretches, making movement difficult and hazardous.Sector 70 resident Milli Garg slammed municipal authorities for false claims of having improved the drainage systems before the onset of the monsoon.Residents have demanded immediate desilting of drains, proper maintenance of the stormwater drainage network and completion of pending civic works. They urged authorities to implement a permanent solution to the recurring problem of waterlogging instead of relying on temporary measures each year.Box: Worst-Hit Areas–Roads in Mohali, Zirakpur, Kharar and Nayagaon flooded, with slush adding to commuters’ woes–Traffic jams reported across all four towns during morning peak hours–Rainwater entered several houses, damaging household belongings–Dug-up roads turned muddy and slippery, increasing accident risk–Residents demanded a permanent solution to recurring waterlogging
