Monsoon downpour overwhelms Chandigarh's drainage, causing widespread flooding
A two-hour deluge delivering 72.4 mm of rain crippled Chandigarh’s storm-water system, flooding roads, markets and trapping vehicles across multiple sectors.
During Tuesday’s monsoon, Chandigarh received 72.4 mm of rain within two hours, saturating its storm-water network and turning several streets into rivers. Flooding was reported in numerous sectors and along key arteries such as Jan Marg, Madhya Marg, and the Industrial Area, with water seeping into commercial basements and parking areas, especially in Sector 22. Traffic came to a standstill as vehicles waded through waist-deep water, two-wheelers navigated potholes and hidden manholes, and a stretch of Madhya Marg collapsed, prompting police to reroute traffic via alternate routes.
Ambulances heading to PGIMER were delayed, and residents noted a shortage of police assistance to manage the chaos. The incident exposed chronic drainage shortcomings, despite routine pre-monsoon cleaning by the Municipal Corporation, and raised questions about the city’s ability to cope with increasing rainfall intensity and urban growth.
Why it matters
The flooding shows that Chandigarh’s aging drainage cannot handle modern monsoon intensity, affecting daily life and emergency services.
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