Relentless rain cripples civic services

Traffic collapses, markets shut amid downpour; power, gas cuts add to woes

RAWALPINDI:

Persistent heavy rainfall throughout the day and night brought life to a standstill across the city and its adjoining areas on Tuesday, severely disrupting traffic and routine activities.

In the absence of traffic wardens, the traffic system collapsed, with ambulances stranded at major intersections. The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA)'s claims of drain clearance proved hollow, as water accumulated widely.

Markets remained deserted, with commercial activity effectively suspended, while daily wage labourers in wholesale markets were left without work.

A total of 39mm of rainfall was recorded across the city. Continuous downpours led to leaks in Metro Bus stations and along the track, leaving motorcyclists travelling beneath exposed to the rain. Attendance in educational institutions and offices remained low due to the weather conditions.

Low-lying areas were inundated, with up to one foot of water collecting in underpasses, including at Committee Chowk and Rahimabad. Ongoing work on the Kutchery Chowk overhead bridge and underpass project also came to a halt, with excavated areas filled with rainwater.

The street lighting system was disrupted, while unannounced load-shedding of up to six hours during the day, coupled with suspension of gas supply from 9pm until pre-dawn, further hampered daily life and business activity. Roofs of old court buildings in the district courts also began to leak.

Continuous rainfall has, however, led to rising water levels in Rawal, Simly and Khanpur dams, easing concerns over a potential summer water shortage.

Several localities—including Dhoke Elahi Bakhsh, Arya Mohalla, Nadeem Colony, Javed Colony, Fazalabad, Chah Sultan, Shalley Valley, Peoples Colony and Millat Colony—remained waterlogged.

While the weather turned pleasant, with greenery in parks and gardens refreshed, there are growing concerns that ongoing rains in the Potohar region may damage the ripened wheat crop, with harvesting already underway in some areas.

The heavy rain also flushed debris through Nullah Lai and around 15 seasonal streams, providing a natural cleansing effect. However, sanitation work was disrupted, and accumulated waste in streets emitted foul odours as it mixed with rainwater.

Traffic flow remained intermittently choked throughout the day as dark clouds and intense thunderstorms persisted. The spell of rain is expected to continue into Wednesday.