Storm, rain spell chaos on UT roads

Rain, accompanied by high-velocity winds (56 km per hour), caused chaos on the roads this evening with traffic lights becoming non-functional and broken branches obstructing traffic on many roads.

According to the Meteorology Department (IMD), the dust storm and rain, which started round 4.20 pm, were the result of western disturbances. The city witnessed 22.6 mm rainfall in the evening, said an official, adding that the sudden change in the weather was due to the increase in the temperatures in the past few days. Hailstorm was also reported in many areas.

As traffic lights remained non-functional during the dust storm, vehicles get stuck in traffic jams at many roundabouts. A big branch blocked the road in Sector 34, leading to a huge traffic jam.

Sources in the Municipal Corporation said they received over 30 complainants of broken branches and uprooted trees, and teams were deputed to clear these obstructions.

The rain also exposed the ill-preparedness of the Municipal Corporation as it left many areas waterlogged. Congress councillor Gurpreet Singh said the contractor, who laid the water pipelines in Sector 45, had left the work midway.

The commuters faced inconvenience due to waterlogged underbridge at Sector 15. The other areas which witnessed severe waterlogging included Sectors 42, 43, 45, 46, 19, 34 and Daria village.

High velocity winds accompanied by rain disrupted power supply in many parts of the city, including Sectors 45, 42, 41-A, 34, 35, 36, 43 and 51 in the evening. Jagtar Singh Chaunta, president, RWA, Sector 39-C, said there was no power supply in their areas since 5 pm. Similar, complaints were received from Sectors 49-A, 43-B, 32, 40 and 46. The officials stated that power supply in most of the affected areas had been restored.

Panchkula remains powerless for 2 hrs

Panchkula: As rain and dust storm hit the tricity, Panchkula witnessed power outages across several sectors for nearly two hours. Uprooted trees and snapped power lines disrupted traffic and electricity supply. Pinjore, Kalka and Chandi Mandir witnessed light hailstorm.

Power staff on strike, no power in Mohali

Mohali: Power and water supply was affected in parts of Mohali, Zirakpur, Dera Bassi, Lalru and Kharar. The VIP Road, Peer Muchchalla and Dhakoli remained without power for hours in the evening. A big tree was uprooted in the Lohgarh area, snapping the power lines. A power line pole was uprooted on the Ambala-Chandigarh road. Mohali Deputy Mayor Kuljit Singh Bedi said, “Half of Mohali is powerless even three hours after the storm. If the government is ready to hire 3,000 workers for BBMB, it can at least hire 300 staff for PSPCL.”

Around 60 contractual employees of the PSPCL in Mohali district were on strike since 12 noon.

Chandigarh