Mohali, Aug. 20 -- Tuesday's brief but intense spell of rain exposed the inadequacies of Mohali's stormwater drainage system, with roads turning into rivers, vehicles getting stranded and water entering homes and even the emergency wing of the Civil Hospital in Phase 6. Areas including Phases 4, 5, 6, 7 and 11 reported severe waterlogging. In Phase 7, vehicles were seen struggling through several inches of water. Amid criticism, Municipal Corporation commissioner Sundeep Singh Garha said, "One must understand that when heavy rainfall takes place over one or two hours, it takes time for water to drain from streets. It cannot be attributed to drainage issues. Maintenance was taken care of before the monsoon. Water pumps were in place in areas that are susceptible to waterlogging. Such areas will be surveyed again to see how the issue can be addressed." Mohali's drainage network was designed for a much smaller city. GMADA's former executive officer NS Kalsi said, "The city's dependence on natural drainage channels, including choes, makes the issue even more complicated. Urbanisation, however, has altered the catchment, increased runoff and placed additional pressure on these channels." In Phases 4 and 5, where the MC uses water pumps, Kalsi had suggested to the MC commissioner that rainwater coming from Phase 2 near the Phase 4 gurdwara be trapped and diverted directly towards Mango Garden Park through a proposed drain. He has suggested replacing the existing 10-foot-wide, one-foot-deep open drain with a 4ft x 4ft covered drain, which can carry the water towards Patiala-Ki-Rao using the available natural gradient. KK Saini, president of the Confederation of Greater Mohali Residents Welfare Association, said the civic body should ensure that sewerage holes and manholes are cleaned at least a month before the rains. "The sewage and rainwater pipes need to be replaced and widened," he said. Saini also pointed to the movement of water from Chandigarh towards Mohali, saying the civic bodies need a policy-level solution instead of dealing with waterlogging as an annual emergency. In Nayagaon, Adarsh Nagar councillor Bhupinder Singh said he, along with the Municipal Council president, visited Adarsh Nagar, which was the worst affected area during the rainfall. He said the drainage system had already been cleaned for the monsoon....