Monsoon rains leave city roads battered

Motorists face financial losses as their vehicles get stuck in patholes

KARACHI:

The monsoon rains have played havoc with the city's roads which have been badly damaged by water inundation after the sewerage infrastructure collapsed under the huge pressure of rainwater and sewage.

Since storm water drains were clogged, municipal authorities opened up manholes to drain out rainwater accumulated in different areas. This put pressure on the sewerage system which collapsed and the rainwater mixed with sewage oozed out on the roads.

In Lyari, Liaquatabad, Sharifabad, Martin Road, Khudadad Colony, Nazimabad and Scheme 33, it has become very difficult to drive on the roads which are pockmarked with huge potholes, while slush is exasperating the problem for commuters and motorists.

The Karachi Water and Sewerage Board and local bodies are working on a painfully slow pace to drain out the accumulated rainwater. The foul-smelling slush accumulated on roads and streets has made life miserable for residents.

The road infrastructure is badly damaged. On some roads, motorists and motorcyclists are forced to drive the wrong way which increases the risk of traffic accidents.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 31^st, 2022.