A significant damage has been caused throughout the Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula regions over the last five days due to heavy and persistent rainfall. According to weather forecasts, widespread heavy to very heavy rainfall is anticipated for at least three more days.
Chandigarh District Magistrate has acted swiftly in response to the worsening circumstances, prohibiting access to all Chandigarh water bodies, including Sukhna Choe and Patiala Ki Rao. At the moment, these bodies of water are at or close to their danger marks. The Ghaggar river is also in a state of full spate, posing a serious threat to lives and property in its catchment areas.
The Chandigarh Administration has ordered the closure of all city schools on Wednesday. In neighbouring Mohali, all educational institutions—including schools, colleges, universities, and polytechnics/ITIs—were already shut until tomorrow.
Since Thursday night, the incessant rain has caused widespread damage. Several roads and bridges over seasonal streams have been washed away, forcing authorities to close them to traffic. Rainwater has damaged property in many places by flooding homes and businesses.
Over 2,000 hectares of standing crops have been damaged in Mohali alone, according to confirmation from the Punjab government. In addition to affecting over 7,000 people due to impassable roads, the severe weather has also claimed one life.
Also Read: Monsoon fury: Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh on red alert
Reports of power and water supply disruptions, as well as damage to vehicles and property from falling trees and poles, continue to be received from all parts of the tricity. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued orange and yellow alerts, forecasting another round of heavy to very heavy rainfall until Friday.
A spell of "widespread rainfall activity with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places is very likely over Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana during the next 24-36 hours," according to a weatherman. Heavy to very heavy rain is anticipated until September 3, followed by a heavy spell in the southern parts of Haryana on September 4 and 5.
Also Read: Rain grips Punjab; Beas swells, evacuation on
The District Magistrate's order, issued under Section 163 of the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, restricts human and pet/cattle entry into all water bodies, including lakes, ponds, nullahs, and streams, to prevent loss of life. The order is effective immediately and will remain in force until October 31. Violations will be met with action under Section 223 of the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita, 2023.
In the past 24 hours, Chandigarh and Panchkula each received 43 mm of rainfall, while Mohali recorded 45 mm. Despite the continuous rain, the day temperature rose by 2.8 degrees Celsius, while the night temperature dropped by 1.4 degrees Celsius. Panchkula registered the lowest minimum temperature in Haryana at 22.4 degrees Celsius, and Chandigarh's relative humidity remained unchanged at 96pc.
Also Read: Chandigarh schools to remain closed on Sept 3
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