Lidless manholes: gaping death traps

Expose residents of Rawalpindi to flooding and potentially fatal accidents

RAWALPINDI:

The onset of heavy monsoon rains this week has heightened fears of flooding and accidents due to uncovered deep manholes and 15 garbage-clogged storm drains across the city.

The government had directed the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) to install iron and cement covers, along with heavy-duty safety grilles capable of bearing up to 300kg, on manholes and unprotected drains. However, the project could not be implemented because of a shortage of funds and a severe financial crisis.

More than 100 manholes in Rawalpindi city and cantonment areas remain uncovered. Ranging from five to 15 feet in depth, these manholes have neither covers nor safety grilles, making them a major hazard during the monsoon season.

The city's 15 storm drains also remain clogged with silt and garbage, while drains in cantonment areas have yet to be cleaned.

Six-year-old Zahid, who fell into Nullah Leh in Gulistan Colony on Saturday, remained missing even after 40 hours. Rescue teams continued searching the drain by boat on Sunday, but no divers were deployed. The Swan River is only 300 metres from the site, and residents said the search should also have been extended there.

A month and a half ago, the body of seven-year-old Wisal, who had fallen into a deep sewer near Kacha Stop, was recovered eight kilometres away from bushes near the Gawalmandi Bridge on Nullah Leh. Residents said Zahid's body should also be searched for in the Swan River.

The two incidents have exposed what residents described as the poor performance of Rescue 1122 and other rescue agencies.

According to a survey, uncovered manholes and unsafe drains are present in Dhok Khabba, Fazalabad, Millat Colony, Chah Sultan, Qasimabad, Amar Pura, Sadiqabad, Muslim Town, Dhok Kala Khan, New Katarian, Khayaban-i-Sir Syed, Pirwadhai, Dhok Naju, Dhok Hassu, Fauji Colony, Dhok Ratta, Hazara Colony, Tench Bhata, People's Colony, Shalley Valley, Dhok Syedan, Church Road, Adiala, Sharon Colony and Gulistan Colony.

No work has yet begun on installing covers and safety grilles despite the start of the monsoon spell, which carries a flood risk. This year, rescue agencies have also not conducted a full-scale flood preparedness drill.

Deputy Commissioner Nadeem Nasir has directed all rescue departments to ensure safety measures in low-lying areas during the monsoon and install covers on open manholes.

Wasa said a survey of manholes had been completed and installation of covers and safety grilles would begin shortly.

Citizen Action Committee Chairman Zaheer Awan said the city's deep manholes posed a serious threat to children and accused Wasa and the Municipal Corporation of failing to fulfil repeated promises to install covers and safety grilles.

Residents of low-lying areas, including Shahbaz Ali, Ramzan Khan, Haji Maqsood and Arshad Ali, said drains had not been cleaned despite official claims.

They said people were placing wooden sticks and branches around open manholes as makeshift warning signs and complained that no government officials or elected representatives had visited their neighbourhoods since the start of the monsoon.