Heavy rain exposes Islamabad’s flawed drainage system

ISLAMABAD: Motorists and commuters in the capital city faced a lot of difficulties on Thursday as the heavy rain flooded the roads and exposed the poor drainage system of the city.

The rainwater accumulated on the roads and caused traffic jams and inconvenience for the commuters and pedestrians especially in posh areas including in F-6 and F-7 sectors and Embassy Road.

Commuters and motorists said that the Capital Development Authority (CDA), which is responsible for providing municipal services in Islamabad, has failed to prevent the encroachments on the drainage passes and nullahs that obstructed the flow of water.

The citizens blamed the CDA for its negligence and inefficiency in maintaining the drainage system of the city.

They blamed the CDA for its failure to provide a proper drainage system and a regular cleaning service for the nullahs and drains.

They said that the CDA had not taken any concrete steps to improve the drainage system and to stop the encroachments. They demanded that the CDA should take immediate action to clear the nullahs and drains and to ensure that the rainwater is drained out quickly and efficiently.

The citizens also expressed their concern over the health and environmental hazards posed by the stagnant water that could breed mosquitoes and spread diseases.

According to the CDA officials, the main reason for the flooding was the illegal construction of houses and shops on the banks of the nullahs that reduced the width and capacity of the drains.

The CDA claimed that it had launched several anti-encroachment drives in the past to remove the illegal structures, but the encroachers returned after some time.

The CDA also blamed the citizens for throwing garbage and waste into the nullahs that choked the drains and caused the water to overflow. The CDA urged the people to cooperate with the authority and avoid littering the nullahs and drains.

Weather forecast Islamabad, other cities

According to the Met Office, rain-wind/thunderstorm (with snow over mountains) is likely in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, Islamabad and upper/central Punjab.

It said that isolated hailstorm may also occur during the period. Dry weather is expected elsewhere in the country.

Rain coupled with hailstorms has been predicted for Islamabad on Saturday as well.

Rain and current weather in Rawalpindi

Heavy rain also lashed Rawalpindi and surrounding areas on Thursday night, inundating low-lying areas and raising the water level in Leh Nullah. Electricity breakdown was also witnessed in many parts of the city soon after the rain and gusty winds started. In some areas, rainwater entered houses and shops, keeping the residents busy in draining out the water.