Water floods homes, park, and underpass in Sector 19 as rains lash Panchkula

The railway underpass in Sector 19, a low-lying area, was completely submerged. No vehicles could pass, and residents were forced to take alternate routes. Even a brief spell of rain is enough to flood the underpass, they said.

To clear the water, a generator was set up to pump it directly into the nearby public park. But this only shifted the problem. The park was fully waterlogged, benches were underwater, and children were seen playing in the floodwater. “There is no proper gutter or drainage here, so all the water from the underpass is thrown into the park,” a resident said.

The stagnant water emitted a foul smell, raising health concerns in the neighbourhood. Inside homes too, the impact of the rain was visible. “Our beds and other household materials were damaged due to water entering our house. After the underpass was made, the problem increased,” said one woman.

Another resident showed photos from last year of a man bailing water from his house with a bucket, underscoring the recurring nature of the issue.

Several locals said the problem escalated after the construction of the underpass, which was opened without proper drainage infrastructure. With Sector 19 being the lowest point in the area, water from across Panchkula flows in and accumulates.

Though officials have visited the area multiple times, residents say little has changed. “This happens every year, and nothing changes. Even a small rain is enough to flood the underpass,” said one man.

No helpline numbers have been shared with them, and in the event of flooding, they receive no emergency food, shelter, or relief material.

Fruit and vegetable vendors have also suffered. “Sometimes our fruits get spoiled due to water collecting in the area. This affects our business,” said one vendor.

Another major concern is blocked drains, which prevent water from receding. On Tuesday, a team from the Municipal Corporation was seen cleaning the drains, loading garbage into a tractor-trolley, and removing debris by hand.

While the residents welcomed the clean-up, they said these were only stopgap measures. “What we need is a permanent solution,” one local said.

Photos taken during the visit show flooded roads, a submerged park, and residents wading through waterlogged lanes. Despite clear health risks, there were no warning signs or supervision at the park.

On June 29, S.K. Nayar, president of the Citizens’ Welfare Association, had written to officials from the Municipal Corporation, HSVP, and PWD, warning of the likelihood of flooding. He urged the setting up of a flood control room, emergency response teams, and preventive measures before the monsoon. But his concerns appear to have gone unheeded.

As the monsoon has only just begun, residents say they fear the worst is yet to come.