February 26, 2006	Sunday	Muharram 27, 1427

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RAWALPINDI, Feb 25: Intermittent rains continuing since Friday night have flooded the roads and streets and disrupted civic life in the city. The choked drains and gutters are overflowing, inundating roads in several areas including Sadiqabad, Muslim Town and Dhoke Ali Akbar.

Traffic in the city remained disrupted causing problems for the people. Businesses also suffered as most of the residents stayed indoors.

Talking to Dawn, Adil, a resident of Sadiqabad, blamed the Tehsil Municipal Administration and Wasa for the inconvenience faced by the people due to the poor drainage system.

He said even a little rain could expose the faulty sewerage system in the area. He said usually rainwater remained standing for days on the roads. Since the rain began, there has been frequent power outage in the area, compounding the miseries of the people, Mr Adil said.

Abid, a resident of Satellite Town, said it was virtually impossible to walk along the roads without getting wet with water splashed by the passing vehicles.

He said as more rains were expected, there would be no immediate let-off in the miseries of the people.

The residents of the city hear a lot about measures being taken to improve the civic conditions, but in reality nothing concrete has been done in this regard, Mr Abid said.

APP ADDS: Westerly waves will likely cause intermittent showers on Sunday in Rawalpindi and Islamabad but clear weather is expected next week, Meteorological Department Director-General Dr Qamaruz Zaman said on Saturday.

He said it was expected that from February 27 to March 5 the twin cities would have clear skies with temperature rising to some extent.

The next spell of intermittent rains is likely to start from March 7 and continue for three days, he added.

The quake-hit areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir are expected to remain in the grip of the westerly waves for next two to three days having rain and snow of light to moderate intensity.

Dr Zaman said areas situated over 7,000 feet in AJK would receive widespread rain and snow of light to moderate intensity with maximum temperature between 13 and 15 degree centigrade and minimum temperature between -2 and -4 degree centigrade.

He said in Muzaffarabad, maximum temperature of 18 degree centigrade is likely next week and the adjoining villages at higher elevations might have maximum temperature of 10 degree centigrade.

The prevailing westerly waves will recede gradually on the morning of February 28 followed by dry weather for a few days in the quake-hit areas, he said.