SHANGLA: Local people and traders of Belay Baba Bazaar here have demanded of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to open the choked watercourse under the bridge on Bisham-Swat road, which was blocked by rubble coming with the floodwater in recent rains.

They said that in case of more rains the water could spill into the area and cause damage to the markets and houses.

In this regard, a 16-member delegation led by Daulat Kallay village council chairman Gul Hassan held a meeting with deputy commissioner Ziaur Rehman on Thursday and urged him

for help in clearing the watercourse and drainage system besides ensuring payment of compensation for the houses damaged in recent rains.

The DC assured the traders that he would ask the National Highway Authority to remove the rubble from the watercourse.

Later, the traders told mediapersons that goods were damaged after floodwater entered into their shops during recent rains.

Juma Khan, a trader, said the drainage stream had been choked due to debris and mud brought by the floodwater and in case of more rainfall the water could destroy goods in their shops.

Rehmani Gul, a village council chairman, claimed that the watercourse under the bridge on the Bisham-Swat road was choked as a contractor had dumped there the rubble of Daulat Kallay road during its excavation. He said that water from the stream was now flowing on part of the road.

After choking of the stream the traders and families residing near the bridge now fear that extended spell of rainfall could cause heavy losses to them.

The traders and local people have demanded of the government to order the authorities concerned for immediate steps to clear the watercourse.

Published in Dawn, August 12th, 2022