Lahore struggles with stagnant rainwater

WASA reels at impending threats of dengue, malaria as urban flooding adds to citizen's miseries

LAHORE:

The district government and Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) have failed to effectively address the issue of stagnant rainwater in various parts of the city and develop a comprehensive plan to combat the impending threats of dengue virus and malaria.

Citizens have expressed concerns about the foul smell and stench emanating from different areas due to the stagnant rainwater. The city is facing numerous challenges due to heavy pre-monsoon rainfall, resulting in the accumulation of water in parks and low-lying areas.

Furthermore, health experts have issued warnings about the potential spread of dengue mosquitoes in Lahore and other parts of Punjab. The government has not taken any concrete steps to tackle this critical issue, which claims several lives each year.

The situation has become particularly dire following recent pre-monsoon rains in Punjab, including Lahore. The bureaucratic processes are sluggish due to the presence of a caretaker government in Punjab. No plans have been formulated, and high-level meetings, which were a routine practice in previous years, have not taken place this time.

There is an imminent risk of an increase in dengue mosquito populations after the monsoon season. The district administration has conducted anti-dengue spraying in cattle markets, and efforts to search for dengue larvae are ongoing in various areas and streets. It is expected that the government will intensify its operations to address this issue after the Eid festival.

There is an urgent need to make necessary arrangements and conduct dengue tests once again. With the onset of pre-monsoon rains in Punjab and the imminent monsoon season, it is crucial for WASA to function effectively and deploy heavy machinery not only in the areas surrounding high-ranking officials and officers' residences but also in the localities where common citizens reside.

Immediate action should be taken to use heavy machinery to clear standing water from these areas. Additionally, all government institutions must fulfill their responsibilities and take appropriate measures in this regard.

Despite numerous complaints regarding water stagnation in areas such as Johar Town, Allama Iqbal Town, Gulberg, parks, and low-lying regions, no action has been taken by any government agency. The stagnant water persists even during the Eid holidays, except on major roads where government machinery has been deployed for drainage, including Model Town, Gulberg, and Defence, among other areas.

However, housing societies have not taken any initiatives to address the water drainage issue, and there has been no inquiry into their efforts. Complaints were lodged with WASA officers regarding water drainage problems in residential areas, but the temporary duty staff left without carrying out any work or facing any investigation.

Sources have revealed that multiple complaints regarding water drainage were filed with WASA officers, but no action was taken, and no inquiries were conducted. Additionally, it has been noted that although district government officials organized a cooling down program this year, no steps were taken to clean rainwater drains, leading to significant difficulties.

Consequently, the improvement of water supply through the rainwater drains has not been achieved. Despite attempts to contact WASA officers regarding this matter, no one has responded to the queries.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 3^rd, 2023.