SIALKOT: Widespread heavy rain lashed the entire region for the second consecutive day on Wednesday (today).

Heavy rain followed by a dust storm began early on Wednesday morning, which continued intermittently all the day.

The rain inundated Ramazan bazaars and other low-lying urban and rural areas in Sialkot, Daska, Sambrial and Pasrur tehsils. All civic, business and trade activities remained paralysed. Ramazan bazaars presented a deserted look due to knee-deep rainwater accumulated there.

Decades-old sewerage chokes, overflows

Dark clouds hovered over the city with cold winds also blowing all the day, making the weather pleasant. With the scorching heat down a few notches, those fasting welcomed this much-awaited rain and came out on streets and roads.

All main roads, including Model Town, Kutchery Road, Paris Road, Abbot Road, Jail Road, Railway Road, Mujahid Road, Shahabpura Road, Rangpura, Hajipura, Prem Nagar, Pooran Nagar, Commissioner Road, the congested Allama Iqbal Chowk, Khadim Ali Road, Sialkot Airport Road and Hajipura Road, their surrounding congested residential, industrial and commercial areas, district jail and roads leading to the airport were inundated with rainwater and sewage.

Meanwhile, the decades-old choked sewerage and drainage lines had overflowed due to the heavy rain. Several vehicles were seen stalled on roads.

Electricity and telecommunication systems were damaged affecting power supply for several hours. Resultantly, electricity motors meant for draining rainwater could not function.

Sialkot, Daska, Sambrial and Pasrur cities remained inundated, paralysing civic, business, trade and social activities.

Met office officials have forecast more widespread rains in the region and in all the catchment areas of neighbouring Kashmir.

Published in Dawn, June 23rd, 2016