PANCHKULA, September 3 — Six schoolchildren had a narrow escape on Wednesday morning when a massive tree collapsed on a Scorpio outside Satluj Public School in Sector 4, even as relentless rain battered the district and threw life into chaos. All the children inside the vehicle were unharmed, though panic swept through the area as crowds gathered, leading to a traffic jam outside the school.
Witnesses said the children were already seated in the vehicle when the tree came down. “Had they been standing outside, this could have been a tragedy,” one resident remarked. The tree also brought down an electricity pole, plunging the locality into darkness until emergency teams from the power department and municipal staff cleared the site with the help of a JCB.
The incident unfolded just as the district administration declared a holiday for all government and private schools at 7 a.m., after most children had already reached campuses. The announcement prompted parents to rush to collect their wards, causing congestion around schools across Panchkula.
Frustrated parents questioned the timing of the order. “At 7 in the morning, most children have already entered school premises. What is the point of declaring a holiday so late?” one parent asked. Another resident added: “Even after the Deputy Commissioner’s orders, some schools continued to call in children. Who will take responsibility when lives are at risk?”
Traffic diversions were enforced as municipal teams reported at least three other cases of trees collapsing in different parts of the city. City roads were submerged, buses were rerouted, and power supply was disrupted in several localities. Near Tau Devi Lal Stadium and along the Panchkula-Zirakpur highway, fallen trees blocked traffic, forcing vehicles bound for Kalka to be diverted through inner sectors.
Waterlogging was reported in Sectors 4, 14 and 15, while officials confirmed flooding in Rajiv Colony, Sector 17, after floodgates were opened at Sukhna Lake. The Ghaggar river, already flowing above the danger mark due to continuous rain and dam discharge, has forced authorities to begin shifting families from low-lying areas. Police personnel are monitoring the situation and warning residents to stay away from the swollen river.
Infrastructure has also taken a hit. The highway from Nada Sahib to the Sector 25 crossing has been damaged, while a bridge over the Nandana Choe shows visible strain. Another bridge near Mubarikpur-Sanauli road has been completely submerged.
Officials reported structural damage to several houses and directed families in vulnerable jhuggis to evacuate. Health department teams set up a medical camp for a week in the affected zone, distributing medicines and urging people to practice hygiene and drink clean water to prevent outbreaks of communicable diseases. Ambulances remain on standby.
Despite the disruption, authorities said efforts are under way to restore traffic and power while monitoring rainfall impact round the clock.
