‘Saza-e-kaala paani’: Heavily polluted water from overflowing Buddha Nullah enters Ludhiana homes after downpour

Frustrated and angered over the issue that has remained unsolved for years, residents alleged that this year too, the local administration failed to clean the nullah properly though the forecast predicted heavy rainfall. The residents said that every year they have to go through this “saza-e-kaala paani” due to the government’s apathy.

As the Buddha Nullah overflowed on Monday and the water started entering homes, local Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs Madan Lal Bagga (Ludhiana North) and Ashok Prashar Pappi (Ludhiana Central) were seen wading through the waters to check on the people living in the area. Pappi, through whose constituency the Buddha Nullah flows partially, reached the overflowing stream and said sandbags were being placed to strengthen the banks. Bagga drove a tractor to take stock of flooded colonies in his constituency.

Over the years, Ganda Nullah near Dharampura too has turned into a conduit for industrial and domestic waste. (Express photo by Divya Goyal)

The 14-km-long heavily polluted Buddha Nullah crosses the heart of Ludhiana city carrying untreated industrial effluents from dyeing and other industries, domestic sewage, and solid waste, before mixing with the clean waters of the Sutlej River. Over the years, Ganda Nullah near Dharampura too has turned into a conduit for industrial and domestic waste.

The polluted waters of Buddha Nullah had entered homes in several colonies of Ludhiana North and Central constituencies during the 2023 floods in Punjab as well. (Express photo by Divya Goyal)

Harmanjot Singh, a resident of the Dharampura area, whose house was flooded with black, toxic waters, said the nullah was overflowing for three-four days. “Today, when it kept raining overnight, the water finally spilled over and entered the houses. Our local MLA Pappi saab says it is kudrat ki maar (nature’s fury) but everything can’t be blamed on nature. They made no prior arrangements to minimise the damage. The motor in our area is not working and two-three feet of pitch-black water, laden with chemicals, has entered our houses. How can someone live in this hell? The water also has a stench.”

The situation in Dhoka Mohalla was so dire that residents could not even step out of their houses as polluted water filled the streets. Another local resident, Bobby Juneja, said: “We are trying to flush out water using buckets from our house as our beds, fridge, chairs, sofa – everything has been damaged. This year, Buddha Nullah was not cleaned properly.”

Meanwhile, Himanshu Jain, Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana, visited Buddha Nullah and said officials were working around the clock and monitoring water levels.

The situation in Dhoka Mohalla was so dire that residents could not even step out of their houses as polluted water filled the streets. (Express photo by Divya Goyal)

MLA Pappi said Ludhiana Municipal Corporation Commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal was closely observing the situation and necessary instructions have been passed on to the teams working on the ground. Dachalwal said efforts were on to drain out the water at the earliest from residential areas.

The polluted waters of Buddha Nullah had entered homes in several colonies of Ludhiana North and Central constituencies during the 2023 floods in Punjab as well.

House collapses, minor dies

An eight-year-old boy died after his house collapsed during heavy rains in Puneet Nagar on Tibba road of Ludhiana, in the early hours of Monday, police said.

Police said that the boy was identified as Vikas Jha. Inspector Harpreet Singh, Station House Officer (SHO) Tibba police station, said that Vikas and his parents were sleeping in the house, which was already in a dilapidated state.

The building eventually collapsed owing to continuous rain the entire night.

“The boy was rushed to Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) but he died on the way,” said the SHO.

From the homepage

Trump again slams ‘one-sided’ US-India trade, says tariffs made it a ‘disaster’

The ‘noise’ in April-June GDP: Taking a closer look at the numbers

Afghanistan Earthquake Today Live Updates: At least 800 killed, 2,500 injured as UN delivers emergency aid to earthquake-struck Afghanistan; PM Modi extends support