Why Chandigarh Rarely Floods While Punjab Struggles Every Monsoon
A City That Knows How to Handle Rain- When the monsoon hits North India, most cities brace for waterlogging and chaos. But Chandigarh is different. Even after hours of heavy downpour, you’ll rarely see the city drowning in knee-deep water. Why? The answer lies in its natural drainage lifeline — the choes, seasonal rivulets that silently do the job of carrying stormwater away before it becomes a disaster.
Meet Chandigarh’s Guardians – The Choes- Chandigarh has five major choes, and they’re not just streams, they’re the city’s unsung heroes. Sukhna Choe channels water into the famous Sukhna Lake, while N-Choe drains the heart of the city and takes it towards Mohali. Patiala Ki Rao and Dhanas Choe act like backup systems, ensuring water finds its way to the Ghaggar river instead of pooling in low-lying neighborhoods. Without them, Chandigarh would have been like any other flood-hit city.
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Town Planning That Stands the Test of Time- Credit also goes to Chandigarh’s legendary town planning. Instead of choking its natural drains with unchecked construction, the city was designed to work with nature, not against it. Videos shared online during monsoons often show water rushing smoothly through these rivulets, almost like an invisible drainage army at work. No wonder locals proudly say: “Protect the choes, and they will protect us.”
Preparedness Makes a Difference- Of course, it’s not just nature doing the heavy lifting. The Chandigarh administration keeps a close eye on these streams, especially Patiala Ki Rao, to avoid any surprises. Traffic police manage waterlogged stretches, health teams stay on alert, and emergency crews are ready to act. It’s a mix of natural advantage and human preparedness that keeps the city running even in the heaviest of rains.
The Contrast With Punjab- Now compare this with Punjab. Rivers like the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi often swell during monsoons, thanks to heavy rain in Himachal and Jammu & Kashmir. With fewer natural stormwater channels like Chandigarh’s choes, the state struggles with widespread flooding almost every year. The lesson is clear: good urban planning plus natural drainage systems = flood resilience. Chandigarh proves it, year after year.
