In the aftermath of the recent rains, even though the government has managed to drain rainwater from the roads through improved management, stagnant water remains accumulated at parks and green belts across various residential colonies.
Reportedly, the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) till date has no plans for draining water from inundated parks. Instead, all administrative bodies are waiting for the weather to change and the rains to stop, after which it is expected that the ground will absorb the water naturally. In some cases, water drained from roads is being offloaded by water tankers into parks and green belts.
As a result, in addition to the rainwater already present, tanker water is also being dumped into most parks in Lahore. This water could be stored as part of a government plan, but instead, it is being disposed of in this manner.
The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) claims to have built underground tanks at 14 key locations to improve the water table. They are also dumping water into parks to recharge the groundwater, claiming it will improve the water level. However, last year and in the current financial year, the water collected in parks due to rains has led to the breeding of dengue mosquitoes.
Even now, due to continuous rains, water is standing several feet deep in parks, resulting in a foul smell and the breeding of mosquiotos.
Muhammad Osama, a resident of F-Block Johar Town, revealed that water stood accumulated in parks for several days in his area and other blocks as well. “Despite complaints, the PHA takes no action. Last year, as well, stagnant water led to fever outbreaks caused by dengue mosquitoes in my residential area. The district government conducts surveys to check for larvae, and if found, cases are registered against households,” said Osama.
Another resident, Mohsin Jat, echoed similar concerns, stating that water drainage in housing societies was almost non-existent since sewers were overflowing, and water remained in parks for several days.
“The government makes no effort to use pumps to drain the parks.
Suction machines are only used in high-profile residential areas where politicians or bureaucrats live. Right now, instead of channeling rainwater from roads into canals, it is being dumped into parks in various areas.
As a result, rainwater is still standing in residential parks across many locations. These include over a dozen blocks of Johar Town, as well as areas like Allama Iqbal Town, Gulshan Ravi, WAPDA Town, Model Town, Township, Samanabad, Jilani Park, and other housing society grounds,” noted Jat.
Former Chief Engineer and town planner Khushal Khan stated that measures should be taken to raise the groundwater level.
“For this purpose, wells should be constructed to channel the rainwater underground, which would help replenish the water table. The "Gharki system" could also be established to manage water more effectively. This would not only prevent water from standing in parks but also improve groundwater levels.
The government needs to take action and if proper planning is done now, it will be beneficial in the future. While some of the water in parks does gradually seep underground, the process needs to be made more efficient. Lahore's underground water level is currently low, and steps must be taken in various areas to improve it,” implored Khan.
Sources have revealed that a meeting was held under the chairmanship of the Lahore Deputy Commissioner to discuss the situation arising from rainwater accumulation in the coming days. However, no solid measures have been taken yet due to the continued spell of rainfall.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ