Downpour debunks drainage promises
The second spell of heavy pre-monsoon rain on Wednesday exposed the hollow claims of the Rawalpindi Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), Rawalpindi Solid Waste Management Company (RWMC), Cantonment boards, and Rawalpindi District Council about the cleaning of Nullah Leh and 15 stormwater drains.
Despite the reported expenditure of Rs140 million on desilting efforts, waterlogged streets and flooded commercial and residential areas painted a different picture.
Streets and markets were submerged under up to three feet of water, causing severe damage to homes and shops.
Citizens reported millions in losses as water entered buildings. WASA officials were visible only at Committee Chowk underpass, while no senior official from any agencyincluding the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, DG RDA, MD WASA, or District Council Administratorwas seen in affected low-lying areas.
Rainwater and sewage remained stagnant for 4 to 6 hours, leaving a trail of mud, hospital waste, dead rodents, garbage, and fruit peels once the water receded.
No personnel from the Solid Waste Management Company's 'Clean Punjab Project' were seen in the affected neighbourhoods on Wednesday. Streets turned muddy and impassable, raising health concerns.
Residents in areas like Javed Colony and Nadeem Colony described how water entered their homes within three hours of rainfall starting at dawn.
They were left to manually drain water using buckets. Even parked vehicles, including loaders and rickshaws, were inundated with two feet of water and had to be push-started after hours.
Leaking ceilings in court buildings and on the Metro Bus track further indicated infrastructure vulnerabilities. Residents demanded an audit of the Rs. 140 million spent on cleaning Nullah Leh and storm drains, questioning why such devastating flooding occurred if the work had indeed been completed.
In many inner-city areas, residents have begun temporary evacuations. Among the worst-hit locations were Nadim Colony, Javed Colony, Fazalabad, Arya Mohalla, Dhok Elahi Bakhsh, Dhok Khaba, Amarpura, Qasimabad, Mohanpura, Pirwadhai, and several neighbourhoods around Dhok Hassu, Dhok Ratta, and People's Colony. Commercial hubs like Bohar Bazaar, Lal Haveli, Moti Bazaar, and Shalley Valley also remained submerged for over three hours.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Express Tribune
Chehlum observed with religious reverence
A spray of water cuts through the scorching air, giving momentary relief to mourners during the Chehlum procession on MA Jinnah Road. PHOTO: JALAL QURESHI/EXPRESS The Chehlum of Imam Hussain (RA) and the martyrs of Karbala was observed across the city with religious reverence and solemnity. The central mourning gathering (Majlis-e-Aza) was held at Nishtar Park, under the auspices of Pak Muharram Hall, where renowned scholar Allama Shahenshah Naqvi delivered a sermon on the tribulations of the Ahl-e-Bait. The procession then followed its traditional route concluding at Husainia Iranian Imambargah in Kharadar. Tight security arrangements were in place, with walk-through gates installed at the procession's entry and exit points, and routes sealed with barricades, water tankers, and containers. A heavy contingent of police and Rangers, including personnel on motorcycles, mobile vans, and armoured vehicles, were deployed. The procession was also monitored by sniffer dogs, the bomb disposal squad, and sharpshooters. Further, mobile phone services remained suspended in certain areas for security reasons, and a ban on pillion riding was also enforced. Throughout the procession, mourning groups (matami anjumans) recited elegies and performed matam. Moreover, to mitigate the effects of heat, water was sprayed along the route, while ambulances and medical camps were stationed throughout the processional route. Governor Kamran Tessori and Additional IG Javed Alam Odho also participated in the procession.
Express Tribune
11-08-2025
- Express Tribune
Northern tourism buckles under harsh weather
The landslides have uprooted several trees, which have fallen into the Kunhar River, spreading dust clouds and causing widespread fear among residents of Mahandri, Balakot. PHOTO: EXPRESS Where the recent pattern of heavy rains, landslides, and flash floods across Pakistan's northern regions has caused significant loss of life and property for the local population, it has also ruined the summer itineraries of several seasonal tourists from across various cities. According to the Meteorological Department, this monsoon season has brought far more rain than usual. In Chakwal alone, 423 mm of rainfall was recorded by mid-July, which is twice the multi-year average. Roads were blocked in Murree, Soon Valley, Kalabagh, and other locations, leaving dozens of tourists stranded while rescue operations too were severely hampered due to ongoing downpours. In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, at least 13 tourists drowned while spending time near the Swat river. The sudden rise in water levels and a lack of safety measures contributed to the tragedy. Similarly, in Gilgit-Baltistan's Diamer district, three people were killed and 15 reported missing due to landslides, while several sections of the Karakoram Highway were also closed. Following these dangerous incidents, a noticeable decline has been observed in the willingness of tourists to travel to the north. Imran Ahmed, a resident of Lahore, said, "We used to visit Murree or Kalam every year, but the recent tragedies are heartbreaking." Another citizen, Tariq Mahmood, shared, "While on the way to Soon Valley, we got reports of landslides and decided to return. These areas no longer feel safe." Experts believe that extreme weather, encroachments, and weak infrastructure are putting tourist destinations at serious risk hence amplifying the urgent need for the government to focus on early warning systems, emergency planning, and environmental protection. Nadeem Shehzad, a well-known tour operator from Lahore, confirmed that many tours were cancelled at the start of July due to unexpected weather conditions. "Tourists were instead offered safer alternatives, which most accepted. While the summer season is peak business time for the tourism industry, professional operators always prioritize the safety of their clients. Some unlicensed tour operators, however, use misleading social media content to encourage trips to high-risk areas, which can be life-threatening," informed Shehzad. In response to the situation, the Punjab Tourism Department has decided to introduce Tourism Quality Standards at all tourist spots. According to Tourism Secretary Raja Jahangir Anwar, health and safety protocols will be made mandatory at all destinations. Road construction will also be carried out in a way that minimizes the risk of landslides, while encroachments on drainage systems will also be removed. "Punjab has been divided into three tourism zones: northern regions (Murree, Kotli Sattian), natural lakes and rivers, and southern Punjab. Among these, the northern areas are the most vulnerable to weather-related risks. The Punjab government has allocated a tourism development budget of Rs18 billion for the first time, aimed at upgrading existing tourist spots, improving safety measures, and reviving new destinations," claimed Anwar. The Tourism Secretary further urged the public to check weather and security updates from the Tourism Department's website and the PDMA helpline before planning any trips, in order to avoid any unpleasant incidents.
Express Tribune
09-08-2025
- Express Tribune
Heavy rain disrupts power supply
Despite court orders, Lesco has continued the construction of the grid inside the housing scheme. PHOTO: EXPRESS The sixth spell of the ongoing monsoon season brought an hour of torrential rain to Lahore on Saturday, flooding streets and disrupting the city's power supply. The downpour affected more than 120 feeders of the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO), leaving several neighbourhoods without electricity for hours. According to LESCO, the outages were caused by feeder tripping and other technical faults. Affected areas included the Township, Green Town, Samanabad, Gulshan Ravi, Qila Gujjar Singh, Shahdara, Imamia Colony, Shalimar, Baghbanpura, Harbanspura, Garhi Shahu, Mughalpura, and Bhati Gate, as well as several parts of the Walled City. Complaints of transformer damage also increased, leading to prolonged outages in some neighbourhoods. The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) reported that 65 millimetres of rain was recorded at Pani Wala Talab between 1:35pm and 2:35pm, inundating low-lying areas. Gulberg and Lakshmi Chowk received 58mm, Nishtar Town and Chowk Nakhuda 57mm, Farrukhabad 70mm, Gulshan Ravi 19 mm, Iqbal Town 39mm, Samanabad 37mm, Johar Town 34mm, and Qurtaba Chowk 23mm. The heaviest rainfall during the day was recorded at Pani Wala Talab at 77mm, followed by Lakshmi Chowk at 74mm. Upper Mall received 7mm of rainfall. Rainwater accumulated on major thoroughfares, including Mall Road, Jail Road, Canal Road, and at intersections such as Lakshmi Chowk, Davis Road, Empress Road, and Haji Camp. Model Town, Kot Lakhpat, Peco Road, Township, Green Town, Factory Area, Muslim Town, and Garden Town also experienced waterlogging. The downpour forced the postponement of the Independence Day Family Fun Race scheduled for the evening at Nishtar Park Sports Complex. Organisers cited water accumulation at the venue as the reason. The Pakistan Meteorological Department announced that a seasonal low persists over northern Balochistan, with moist currents from the Arabian Sea reaching the upper parts of the country. A fresh westerly trough is also affecting the northern areas. Hot and humid conditions are expected to continue across most of the country on Sunday, with rain, wind, and thundershowers likely in northeastern Punjab, Potohar region, Islamabad, upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, and nearby hilly areas. Over the past 24 hours, hot and humid weather prevailed in most regions, with isolated rainfall reported in parts of Punjab. Lahore Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza inspected drainage operations at Chowburji and reviewed WASA's response to monsoon rains. He directed WASA teams to expedite water removal from low-lying areas while ensuring minimal disruption for residents. He instructed all departments to remain on high alert and maintain close coordination to prevent water accumulation, particularly at vulnerable locations. Public advisories were also issued, urging citizens to avoid unnecessary travel during heavy rain, stay clear of electric poles and hanging wires, and drive cautiously in waterlogged streets. The DC said timely interventions and a comprehensive strategy to permanently address water accumulation were helping the administration maintain smoother traffic flow and safer public spaces during the ongoing monsoon season. The deputy commissioner also inspected anti-dengue operations in Raiwind, praising the health department for reducing larvae through consistent fieldwork. He ordered spraying in affected homes and nearby houses, with strict daily monitoring of high-risk sites. The DC warned against negligence, stressing the administration's commitment to providing a dengue-free environment in Lahore. With additional input from APP
