Patiala, Jan 23: Heavy showers and intense winds disrupted daily life across Patiala on Friday, causing significant property damage and leaving many areas without electricity. The storm, which featured winds clocked at over 60 km per hour, caused widespread destruction of rooftop installations and led to several trees being uprooted onto main thoroughfares. Efforts to clear the debris and repair the power grid were hindered by the sheer volume of water accumulating on the streets.
Business activity came to a standstill in prominent markets including Sai Market and Fountain Chowk as residents avoided the hazardous conditions. The Old City area was particularly affected, with water levels rising rapidly in low-lying sectors. A resident from the Civil Lines area said that the intensity of the rain made visibility nearly zero for a significant period. She mentioned that the power went out almost immediately after the winds picked up and has not yet been restored.
The administrative machinery has been deployed to handle the fallout of the storm, which included reports of lightning in various pockets of the city. Shopkeepers in the Tripuri market faced a difficult afternoon as they battled to keep rainwater out of their stores. One trader mentioned that the drainage system was overwhelmed by the sudden downpour. He said that the water entered the shops within minutes of the rain starting, causing significant inconvenience to everyone in the market.
Government personnel have been tasked with monitoring the waterlogged areas to prevent further accidents. A spokesperson for the municipal services noted that the focus is on clearing the main arteries of the city to ensure that emergency vehicles can pass. He mentioned that the teams are coordinating with the electricity department to ensure that the power supply is reinstated in a phased manner once the water recedes from the substations.
