Pindi lives through monsoon with open manholes

The monsoon flood season has ended in Rawalpindi, along with all six flood relief centres, but 270 deep drains and manholes in the city, cantonment and surrounding areas remain without covers or protective grills despite repeated directives.

The bodies of two children who drowned during the season have also not been recovered.

Following protests by citizens, teams of patwaris, on the orders of Deputy Commissioner Nadeem Nasir, have started surveying the worst-affected flood-hit areas to assess the damage. Before the season, the government had directed the relevant development agencies, including WASA, the district council and the municipal corporation, to install iron or concrete covers and 100kg-capacity protective grills on all small, large and particularly deep manholes in the city, cantonment and adjoining areas.

However, not a single manhole in Rawalpindi could be fitted with such a grill even after the monsoon season ended.

The basic reason is being attributed to a severe shortage of funds and a financial crisis. No competent authority has taken notice of the violation.

The bodies of two children, Hareem and Zahid, who drowned during the monsoon season, have also not yet been recovered. During the entire monsoon season this year, the relevant rescue agencies could not even conduct their traditional "full-dress rehearsal" for rescuing citizens trapped in floods.

This monsoon was again disastrous for Rawalpindi residents.

The Leh Nullah also swelled, while 15 rainwater drains filled up and overflowed, with water entering shops, markets and houses and causing destruction. In low-lying areas hit by sewage-contaminated floodwater, toxic mud, shopping bags and wrappers carried by the floodwater are still scattered in streets, neighbourhoods and vacant plots.

Despite demands and protests by affected residents, no disinfectant spray has been carried out in these areas. As soon as the monsoon ended, the flood relief camps were closed and the flood emergency was also withdrawn. However, the relevant departments will continue routine monitoring of rainfall, inspections and safety arrangements.

Deputy Commissioner Nadeem Nasir has also directed the Municipal Corporation, RDA, WASA, District Council and Rescue 1122 to prepare a foolproof flood protection plan for June 15 to September 15 next year.

He has also sought plans for the timely and rapid drainage of water from Nullah Leh and 15 rainwater drains based on the maximum rainfall recorded in the twin cities so far.

Residents of the worst low-lying and flood-prone areas, including Nadeem Colony, Javed Colony, Qasim Market and adjoining areas, Girja Road, Shalay Valley, Sadiqabad Chowk, Raja Bazaar, Dingi Khoi Chowk, Moti Bazaar, Dhoke Syedan, Sharoon Colony, Dhoke Hasu, Fauji Colony and Dhoke Elahi Bakhsh said the low-lying areas had been completely left unattended during this year's monsoon.

They said signs of flood damage were still scattered everywhere in areas hit by floodwater and that neither spraying nor cleaning had been carried out.

No minister, adviser, commissioner or deputy commissioner visited any flood-hit area throughout the season. The low-lying areas were completely neglected, while floodwater also damaged streets, leaving them broken at several places.