Patiala, Jan 23: Patiala was gripped by a severe weather crisis on Friday as high-velocity winds and torrential rain swept through the city, uprooting infrastructure and plunging several neighborhoods into darkness. Gusts exceeding 60 km per hour tore through the district, causing solar panels and water tanks to be ripped from rooftops while fallen trees blocked major transit routes. The sudden shift in weather followed a brief period of morning sunshine, with heavy clouds quickly overtaking the sky before the storm commenced.
The resulting deluge led to widespread waterlogging across both the old city and modern residential hubs. Localities such as Model Town, Passey Road, and Civil Lines were heavily inundated, making it difficult for emergency crews to reach sites where power lines had snapped. In the Tripuri area, the situation became critical as rainwater breached the entrances of commercial establishments, forcing business owners to scramble to protect their inventory.
Residents remained largely confined to their homes as streets in typically bustling areas like Anardana Chowk, Safabadi Gate, and the YPS Market turned into streams. One local shopkeeper noted that the speed of the storm caught many off guard, noting that the wind was strong enough to shake heavy structures. He mentioned that most traders decided to shut down early to avoid being stranded in the rising water.
Civic authorities acknowledged the challenges posed by the simultaneous wind damage and flooding. An official involved in the clearing operations said that teams are working despite the rain to remove fallen debris from the roads. He noted that the priority remains restoring the electricity supply to essential services and residential blocks as soon as the weather permits safe repairs. Isolated reports of lightning strikes have also been recorded, though the full extent of the damage is still being assessed by the district administration.
