Pathankot: Heavy rainfall has led to severe waterlogging in the Sherpur-Mallpur and Jhumbar areas of Pathankot district, leaving nearly 150 families struggling with flooded homes and submerged streets. Residents say stagnant water has entered several houses, weakened building foundations and made daily life extremely difficult.

The situation has also disrupted education, as children have been unable to attend school due to waterlogged roads. Villagers have urged the district administration to provide immediate relief and implement a permanent solution to the recurring flooding problem.

Around 150 homes affected as blocked drainage worsens flooding

Residents said the flooding has intensified because natural drainage channels have been blocked, preventing rainwater from flowing out of the affected areas.

Nek Ram, a resident of Mallpur village, said the problem has persisted for the past five to six years. Earlier, temporary drainage arrangements were made using JCB machines after repeated complaints. However, he alleged that a blocked culvert has now caused rainwater to accumulate in one place, worsening the situation.

According to villagers, water has entered residential areas and surrounded many houses, increasing the risk of structural damage and making movement difficult. Residents have demanded that the administration immediately clear the blocked culvert to restore the natural flow of rainwater.

Residents fear snakes and venomous insects entering flooded homes

The stagnant water has created additional safety concerns, with villagers reporting the appearance of snakes and other venomous insects inside their homes.

Punnu Ram, a resident of Sherpur village, alleged that the original natural drainage route was blocked after agricultural land changed ownership, causing rainwater from nearby areas to collect around residential colonies. He said nearly 100 to 150 houses have been submerged, forcing residents to wade through waist-deep water.

Sandhya Devi, another resident, said she has been facing the problem for nearly 10 to 12 years. During the monsoon, rainwater from nearby villages, including Suon, Keedi and Mangiyal, flows into their locality, causing extensive waterlogging.

She warned that prolonged water accumulation has weakened the walls and roofs of several homes, while snakes and venomous insects emerging from the stagnant water have left families living in constant fear.

Children’s education disrupted as roads remain submerged

The flooding has also severely affected children’s education, with access roads remaining underwater for several days.

Residents said many children have been unable to reach their schools as families struggle to move through waist-deep water. In several cases, adults have been forced to carry young children on their shoulders to help them cross flooded stretches.

Villagers expressed disappointment over what they described as years of neglect, alleging that despite repeated assurances from elected representatives before elections, no permanent measures have been taken to address the recurring waterlogging.

Residents have appealed to the district administration to provide immediate drainage, restore road connectivity, assess damage to affected homes and formulate a long-term drainage plan to prevent similar flooding during future monsoon seasons.