Informal settlements swamped by heavy rain

Heavy overnight and early morning rain triggered severe urban flooding across Jaranwala, exposing gaps in the Water and Sanitation Agency's (WASA) monsoon preparedness plan. Despite WASA's claims of being ready for the season, residents in shanty towns and low-income areas were left stranded as agency staff focused operations on main roads and elite localities.

The downpour, which lasted two to three hours, inundated streets, homes, and public spaces. WASA officers and technical staff were seen using heavy machinery to clear water from main arteries throughout the day, but failed to attend to informal settlements and middle-class neighborhoods.

Taj Din, a resident of Rasheed Abad on Jhang Road, said rainwater has been entering homes for the last three days, with no visit from any WASA official. "Streets are flooded, and residents can't even reach nearby mosques to offer prayers," he said.

"WASA and district administration officials should visit the 111 affected Katchi Abadis like Shaheen Abad, Islam Nagar, Ghaseet Pura, Dogar Basti, Manawala, and others where people are trapped indoors." When contacted, WASA's Public Relations Officer, Qadeer Sikandar, defended the agency's response strategy.

"Our first priority is to clear water from main roads and designated ponding areas to ensure traffic flow. Link roads and then populated areas are taken up afterward," he said. He added that efforts are under way to drain low-lying areas and that WASA is working within its available capacity.