A large portion of the road near sector 17/22 dividing in Chandigarh caved in after a huge tree fell due to persistent rainfall that continues to wreak havoc across several north Indian states, including Punjab and Haryana. Several parts of Punjab are heavily flooded due to torrential rain that is creating hurdles for authorities to carry out rescue operations. Several areas have been witnessing continuous rain since early morning. Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann took stock of the situation in Mohali and other areas and said that he spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah on current conditions due to rain.
"I spoke with Home Minister Amit Shah yesterday. He enquired about the flood situation and we explained that the situation is currently under control and that we will reach out to him if there is a need. We have information from Patiala where the river has reached danger levels...If need be, the NDRF teams are ready and the army also has its camps at a number of places...," Mann told the media.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said that PM Narendra Modi spoke to senior Ministers and officials, and took stock of the situation in the wake of excessive rainfall in parts of India. Local administrations, NDRF and SDRF teams are working to ensure the well-being of those affected, the PMO said in a tweet.
Due to heavy downpours, a portion of a building collapsed in Punjab's Mohali while Rupnagar and Ropar are heavily flooded. According to PTI, Chandigarh also witnessed record rainfall during the past three days, and a few roads were filled with rainwater. Mohali, Patiala, Rupnagar, Fatehgarh Sahib, Panchkula and Ambala are some of the worst-hit districts in the Punjab and Haryana.
Punjab CM Mann appealed to people not to panic as heavy rains caused flooding at some places in the state. In a tweet in Punjabi, Mann, who is visiting flood-affected areas in Mohali and Rupnagar districts, said the government is with the people and all possible help will be provided to them.
As per a PTI report, heavy monsoon rain led to traffic snarls on key road stretches in the Punjab, the officials said. In Patiala, the floodwaters entered the premises of the Rajpura Thermal Power Plant on Monday, leading to the shutdown of one of its 700 MW units, officials said. The Punjab government requested additional assistance from the Army to combat the escalating crisis. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams were also deployed at some places in the state.
Rains lashed Chandigarh, Panchkula, Yamunanagar, Ambala, Karnal, Kurukshetra, among other places in Haryana while Fatehgarh Sahib, Mohali, Rupnagar and Patiala in Punjab also received showers. Due to incessant rains in the catchment areas of the Sukhna Lake here, two of the floodgates were opened on Monday, added the PTI report.