Panchkula: Heavy rain wreaked havoc across Panchkula on Tuesday, damaging a bridge connecting Alipur and Khatauli, sweeping away two youths in a rainwater drain in Rajiv Colony, Sector 17, and submerging a car at the railway underpass in MDC.The Alipur-Khatauli bridge was damaged after the water level in the river rose sharply. As a precaution, Panchkula Police barricaded the road from both sides and closed the route to all vehicular and pedestrian movement.Police advised commuters to use alternative routes and warned residents against crossing barricades or venturing near rivers, drains and other vulnerable locations amid rising water levels.In Sector 17’s Rajiv Colony, two youths were reportedly swept away by a fast-flowing rainwater drain. One of them was rescued safely, while a search operation was launched for the other, identified as Rajesh Kumar, a resident of the colony.Rescue teams and officials rushed to the spot after receiving information about the incident. However, the strong water current, triggered by incessant rain, hampered rescue efforts.In another incident, a car was submerged at the railway underpass in MDC after the stretch was flooded with rainwater. A video circulating on social media showed children helping push the partially submerged vehicle to safety, underscoring the challenges faced by residents during the downpour.The incidents occurred as water levels in the Ghaggar and several seasonal rivers and drains rose following continuous heavy rainfall in the district. Authorities have urged residents to stay away from waterlogged areas, riverbeds and drain channels, and to follow safety advisories issued by the administration.The rain also severely disrupted traffic across the city. Several areas witnessed knee-deep waterlogging, leaving commuters stranded in long traffic jams. Many motorists remained stuck for over an hour, while several vehicles broke down after water entered their engines, compounding the chaos on the roads.
