The Kanwar Mela began in Haridwar amid heavy rainfall on Thursday, bringing relief from the heat and humidity but also creating problems due to waterlogging in several areas.
Rain started around 11 am in the holy city and nearby regions and continued till noon. The showers lowered temperatures, but low-lying areas witnessed water accumulation, affecting movement in parts of Haridwar.
Continuous rainfall in both hilly and plain regions led to heavy silt accumulation, forcing the closure of the Ganga Canal. Meanwhile, the Ganga River was flowing strongly near the Bhimgoda Barrage, and the water level in the Kharkhari Dry River rose suddenly in the afternoon. Due to heavy water flow, several vehicles were stranded and were removed with the help of cranes.
Waterlogging Disrupts Movement In Haridwar
The worst impact of the rain was reported under the Bhagat Singh Chowk railway culvert, where waterlogging disrupted traffic towards BHEL and SIDCUL. Commuters had to take the Old Ranipur route as an alternative.
Water accumulated at Chandracharya Chowk and several other parts of central Haridwar. While water was removed quickly from Chandracharya Chowk using pump sets, the situation under the Bhagat Singh Chowk railway culvert took longer to resolve.
According to the Solar Observatory in Bahadrabad, Haridwar recorded a maximum temperature of 32.5 degrees Celsius and a minimum temperature of 26.5 degrees Celsius on Thursday, with 11.2 mm rainfall recorded.
Kanwariyas Continue Journey Despite Rain
The rain coincided with the beginning of the Kanwar Mela, adding to the enthusiasm of Shiva devotees. However, heavy showers within an hour led to waterlogging at several important locations, including Bhagat Singh Chowk, Chandracharya Chowk, and other areas.
Municipal Corporation teams reached affected spots after receiving complaints and used pump sets to drain out accumulated water. Waterlogging was also reported in Bhupatwala, Bhimgoda, Jwalapur, and Kankhal areas, causing inconvenience to residents.
In Bhupatwala, waterlogging on Saptarishi Marg created difficulties, while roads near Jwalapur police station and Latowali in Kankhal also faced water accumulation issues.
A road near Laltaro Bridge caved in due to the rain, injuring a woman who fell at the spot. Teams from the Municipal Corporation, Public Works Department, and local representatives reached the area and started repair work.