Chandigarh’s drainage system is ill-equipped to handle heavy downpours, leading to frequent waterlogging and inconvenience for residents. Recent intense rainfall of 300 mm over two days has resulted in water accumulation at multiple locations in the city. The drainage system in sectors above 30 is designed to handle only 15 mm of rainfall per hour, while sectors below 30 can handle 25 mm per hour. This limited capacity causes delays in water receding during heavy rains.
One of the main reasons for the waterlogging issue is the faulty drainage system, where most stormwater pipes that discharge into the natural choe are positioned at a low level. During heavy rains, the choe gets blocked as it hasn’t been adequately leveled to allow unobstructed flow of stormwater. As a result, stormwater discharge from various sectors flows into the choe, leading to overflowing pipes and water entering houses and accumulating on roads.
CB Ojha, the chief engineer of UT, has stated that desilting the natural choe is not necessary, as it was cleaned recently. However, it is a natural choe with limited capacity, and there is a limit to what can be done to prevent waterlogging.
Another officer from the municipal corporation (MC) mentioned that cleaning the storm drainage pipes, especially in the southern sectors, is crucial to address the waterlogging problems in those areas. Lowering the levels of the three rivulets – Sukhna Choe, Patiala-ki-Rao Choe, and the central part with two minor streams, Natural Choe and Nalla – is also necessary.
A former MC chief engineer, Puranjit Singh, criticized the concerned authorities for blaming waterlogging solely on heavy rain and the small size of stormwater pipes. He emphasized the importance of desilting the choe before the rainy season, calling it the lifeline of the city. Singh also highlighted that the height of most roundabouts and dividers on several roads obstruct the natural flow of water, contributing to inundation.
The areas most affected by waterlogging every year include Madhya Marg, inner roads of sectors, Industrial Area, near the CTU workshop, Sector 35, Hotel South End, Chandigarh-Panchkula Road near Housing Board lights, and colonies no. 4 and 5. The worst-affected areas, where water levels reach knee-deep, include the road from Attawa village to Sector 35, Sectors 43, 44, and 45, Sector 22, Palsora village, Burail, and Sector 29 (iron market). Some roads in southern sectors also remain flooded due to blocked road gullies.
Efforts should be made to address the shortcomings in Chandigarh’s drainage system and improve its capacity to handle heavy rainfall. Regular desilting of the choe, cleaning of stormwater pipes, and careful examination of the levels of rivulets are essential steps to mitigate the waterlogging problem. Additionally, adjustments to roundabout heights and dividers on roads should be made to facilitate the natural flow of water. By implementing these measures, the city can avoid the recurring inconvenience caused by waterlogging during periods of heavy rain.
