LAHORE: Heavy rain for over an hour exposed the tall claims of authorities of improving infrastructure, as Lahore’s sewerage and drainage system in various localities either collapsed or choked almost submerging the Qartaba Chowk Metro Bus pedestrian underpass and various low-lying areas.

There were reports of rainwater accumulation up to four feet that could not be drained out until late on Tuesday despite continuous efforts of all water disposal and lift stations, de-watering machines and other equipment.

All the city’s sore points, including Lakshmi Chowk, Nakhuda Chowk, GPO Chowk, Abid Market, Qadhafi Stadium, Garhi Shahu are mostly flooded in monsoons, while areas such as Qartaba Chowk, Gulberg, Iqbal Town, Johar Town, Township, Ravi Road have never taken a lot of time to be cleared.

In Qartaba Chowk, the situation became problematic after the drainage system passing along the road at various points collapsed, choked or seepage flooded the pedestrian underpass. The actual reason is being investigated.

Qartaba metro pedestrian underpass inundated

“When I entered the underpass, it was completely flooded,” Sajid, a passenger, said. He said rainwater flooding the underpass exposed tall claims of improvement in the city’s water, sanitation and drainage system.

Samanabad and areas linking the recently completed LOS drain and road from Ferozepur Road to Multan Road near Samanabad Morr were also among the worst-affected. The drainage system there collapsed, submerging all roads as well as rainwater entering houses. There were reports that people drained out rainwater from their houses and streets on their own after no one from the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) reached despite complaints.

According to the Wasa administration, the sewerage and drainage system in some areas had collapsed due to which draining out rainwater took time.

“Draining out rainwater took time in some localities, including Samanabad and adjoining area near the LOS drain, after the system collapsed,” said a Wasa spokesman in a statement issued on Tuesday.

He said the city received non-stop rain measuring 170mm on average. The 177mm rain included 96mm at Farrukhabad and 60mm at Jail Road, he added. He claimed that as soon as rain stopped, Wasa field staff drained out water from Lakshmi Chowk. Similarly, at other places, he added, the teams cleared accumulated water in minimum possible time.

Talking to Dawn, Wasa Managing Director Chaudhry Naseer Ahmad said the drainage system at Qartaba Chowk had neither collapsed nor choked. There was no issue of seepage either, as rainwater entered the underpass when its level on the ground rose. He claimed that in principle, Wasa was not responsible for dealing with such situations, particularly at Qartaba Chowk metro bus stations and underpasses, as metro authorities had their own de-watering pumps.

“But despite this, we assisted the metro authorities and Qadhafi Stadium administration in draining out rainwater,” Ahmad added.

Published in Dawn, July 22nd, 2015

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