On June 29, 2025, the Chandigarh Tricity region—comprising Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula—witnessed an unprecedented weather event that sent shockwaves across residents and civic authorities. Recording 119.5 mm of rainfall in a single day, the city experienced its wettest June day in 52 years. This torrential downpour not only broke historical records but also exposed long-standing issues in urban planning, drainage management, and disaster response systems.
Breaking a 52-Year Rainfall Record
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed that the city had not witnessed such a heavy spell of June rain since 1973. Back then, Chandigarh recorded 146 mm of rainfall in a single day. The 2025 rainfall event came close to surpassing that figure, reminding both citizens and officials of the vulnerabilities that come with changing weather patterns.
The rain began around late afternoon on Saturday and continued relentlessly through the night, ending only by early Sunday morning. What started as a welcome respite from the scorching heat soon escalated into a citywide crisis.
How the Rainfall Affected Daily Life
As the rain intensified, so did its impact on daily life in Chandigarh Tricity. The heavy showers led to widespread waterlogging in many low-lying areas. Streets turned into streams, underpasses were submerged, and vehicles were stranded in knee-deep water. Commuters were stuck for hours in traffic snarls, and two-wheeler riders struggled to navigate flooded roads.
Some of the worst-hit areas included the Industrial Area Phase 1 underpass, ISBT Sector 43, and residential sectors like 29, 35, 38, and 26. Several cars were seen floating in flooded streets, and in many places, authorities had to deploy cranes and emergency teams to remove stuck vehicles.
Local residents reported water seeping into their homes, especially in basement flats. The drainage systems, already strained from years of under-maintenance, failed to handle the sudden influx of rainwater. Power outages became common in multiple sectors as electric substations went offline due to flooding.
Temperature Drop and Atmospheric Change
Along with heavy rainfall, the city experienced a sharp dip in temperatures. The maximum daytime temperature dropped to 30.2°C, which is six degrees below the average for this time of year. The nighttime temperature also fell to around 23.6°C, three degrees below normal. This drastic cooling effect provided short-term relief from the preceding heatwave, but the accompanying humidity made conditions uncomfortable for many.
The storm was also accompanied by strong winds, clocking speeds between 30 and 40 km/h. The gusts uprooted several trees, damaging vehicles and public property. Municipal teams worked overnight to clear fallen trees and restore traffic flow.
Sukhna Lake: On High Alert
One of the biggest areas of concern during this rainfall event was Sukhna Lake. The water level at the lake rose alarmingly close to the danger mark of 1,163 feet, reaching a high of 1,157.3 feet. Fearing potential overflow, the Chandigarh Administration set up 24×7 monitoring at the lake.
A dedicated control room was established, and CCTV cameras were installed to monitor water levels and embankment conditions in real time. Officials from various departments including public health, engineering, horticulture, and road maintenance were stationed at the lake round the clock. An emergency response plan was put in place, including preparations to open the lake’s floodgates if the water level rose further.
Preventive measures like strengthening the embankments with stone pitching and clearing silt from the Sukhna Choe were completed to manage any sudden water release. Authorities in Mohali were also directed to remove illegal constructions and encroachments along the choe to facilitate smoother water flow in case of flooding.
A Monsoon That Arrived Early
Interestingly, the rainfall event coincided with an early arrival of the southwest monsoon over the Chandigarh region. The monsoon, which typically arrives in early July, covered the entire country nine days ahead of schedule this year. Experts attribute this to strong monsoon currents supported by low-pressure systems over the Bay of Bengal.
This early and aggressive monsoon pattern is being viewed as a sign of changing climate behavior in North India. Weather analysts point to a combination of warmer ocean temperatures and altered wind patterns as possible contributors.
In neighboring states like Punjab and Haryana, similar rainfall activity was recorded, though Chandigarh bore the brunt of the storm due to its geographical location at the foothills of the Shivalik range.
Immediate Civic Response
In response to the crisis, the Municipal Corporation and the Chandigarh Administration swung into action. Emergency teams were deployed to pump out water from flooded roads and residential colonies. Portable water pumps were placed in the most affected areas to aid water drainage.
Traffic police teams were dispatched to manage the chaos on key roads and intersections. Diversions were set up in areas where waterlogging made roads impassable. Power restoration teams worked overnight to bring back electricity in areas affected by transformer failures and short circuits.
Despite these efforts, the situation highlighted glaring infrastructural weaknesses. Citizens took to social media to vent their frustrations, sharing images and videos of waterlogged streets, stranded vehicles, and flooded homes.
Criticism Over Urban Planning
Urban planners and environmentalists were quick to criticize the city’s outdated drainage systems. Chandigarh, originally designed as a planned city, has grown significantly over the years. Increased urbanization, concrete expansion, and poor maintenance of natural drainage channels like the Sukhna Choe have made the city increasingly vulnerable to such flooding events.
Experts emphasized the urgent need for a long-term drainage master plan that incorporates climate resilience. Suggestions included expanding the capacity of existing drains, introducing rainwater harvesting systems, and creating more green spaces to aid groundwater absorption.
Residents have long complained about repeated flooding in the same sectors during every monsoon season. Unfortunately, despite annual pre-monsoon desilting drives, the problem persists, pointing towards a need for more structural and policy-level reforms.
The Road Ahead: Weather Forecast and Preparedness
The India Meteorological Department has predicted more rain for the region over the next few days. Thunderstorms, lightning, and heavy showers are expected to continue until at least July 1. Citizens have been advised to avoid non-essential travel, stay indoors during heavy rain spells, and keep emergency supplies ready.
Schools in low-lying areas may remain shut if conditions worsen. The administration is also keeping an eye on the water level in Sukhna Lake and is prepared to take emergency measures if required.
For long-term preparedness, discussions are underway to revise the city’s urban flood management policy. This includes increasing investment in stormwater management infrastructure and implementing stricter building norms in flood-prone zones.
Reflecting on Changing Climate Patterns
This extreme weather event in Chandigarh Tricity is part of a broader pattern of climate variability being observed across India. Over the past few years, the country has experienced increasing instances of unseasonal rains, heatwaves, and intense localized weather events.
Experts from the meteorological community stress that urban centers like Chandigarh need to factor in these changing climate models when designing future infrastructure projects. Failure to do so could result in more frequent and more severe urban flooding events in the coming years.
Final Thoughts: Lessons from the Deluge
The downpour on June 29, 2025, will be remembered as a day when nature exposed the vulnerabilities of a city known for its planned design. While the rains brought much-needed relief from the heat, they also served as a reminder of how unprepared urban India remains in the face of climate extremes.
The event offers several lessons—for policymakers to fast-track drainage upgrades, for residents to remain vigilant during monsoons, and for city planners to integrate climate resilience into every aspect of urban development.
As Chandigarh Tricity braces for more rain in the coming days, the focus now shifts to minimizing further damage and learning from this experience to build a safer, more resilient future for the region.