Flash floods destroy roads, infrastructure

Villagers struggle to rehabilitate roads, water supply lines on their own

HARIPUR:

Flash floods and landslides caused by the recent rains have not only destroyed roads in Ghazi but also washed away water supply schemes in most villages including in Gandgar and Paplala areas where people have been without clean drinking water for days.

Local elected representatives joined the residents of Paplala hamlet to restore waterways and the water supply for the area, which is facing a serious water crisis currently.

People struggle to restore water on their own. Locals said that the valuable land of their village, as well as the water supply lines, have completely been destroyed by flash floods.

“Our Tehsil Nazim also visited here today, but instead of helping us, he remained busy in a photo session with those who have nothing to do with this area,” locals said. They said that the area should be declared disaster-hit and immediate measures should be taken for the rehabilitation of destroyed roads and other infrastructure including the water supply lines to provide relief to the people.

They said Tehsil Nazim Syed Qasim Shah left the area seeking two more days for arranging some help for them. They said that all elected representatives should stand by the people at this testing time and play a role to provide relief beyond their political affiliations under current circumstances.

They appealed to the provincial government and the Haripur deputy commissioner to declare Paplala, Khari and Gandgar disaster-hit areas.

Locals also said that the walls of Baghdara Government Primary School also collapsed due to the heavy rains. The main road of Baghdara has already been washed away by flash floods. Locals said that public representatives should not only take steps to restore the roads but also take steps to build the walls of the school.

On the other hand, the recently constructed Chamiyari Road was damaged and cracks appeared at several spots in recent rains, exposing the poor performance of the contractor. Cracks also appeared on the side walls of the road as no arrangements had been put in place for the drainage of rainwater.

Flash floods and landslides also hit and blocked the road at several locations, causing inconvenience to the locals.

Officials from the revenue department recently visited Paplala helmet and inspected the damages caused by the rains and assured the locals of compensation.

The recent rains have also caused damage to roads in the suburbs of Ghazi, causing severe difficulties for commuters and motorists. The rains and flash floods have also damaged link roads in Jharikis, Paplala, Konthara and other areas.

Similarly, the protective walls of the under-construction road near the garage stop in Mian Dheri were also affected by the rain and the gravel on the road was also washed away by the rainwater.

Villagers demanded that the provincial, district and tehsil administrations take immediate steps to restore the roads on a priority basis in the affected areas so that people could travel hassle-free.

Chairman Ghazi tehsil Qasim Shah said that he was aware of issues being faced by the people of his constituency. He said that he has devised a strategy with the consultation of the authorities concerned to compensate the locals for the damages caused by the recent rains and landslides.

He said that officials have visited various places and will visit the remaining areas soon so that comprehensive compensation could be prepared for the affected people. He said that he will talk to the officials concerned to start work on the rehabilitation of roads and water supply schemes.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 8^th, 2022.