GUJRAT: Almost all the city roads got submerged by the rainwater because of heavy rains during the last two days, once again exposing the poor drainage and sewerage systems.

The rainwater accumulated in the most busy commercial areas of the city, including Court Road, Bhimbher Road, besides Jinnah, Circular, Railway and Rehman Shaheed roads, where a number of vehicles got stuck.

The half-kilometer portion of the road between Jail Chowk and Kutchery Chowk was also among the localities that were submerged, making movement of vehicular traffic almost impossible.

The recent rains also affected the wheat crop in the rural areas, besides commercial activities in the urban areas.

In many areas people were restricted to their houses due to the inundated roads, particularly the western side of Circular Road, where streets had been dug up for laying of a sewerage line from Alipura Morr, Prince Chowk to Fawara Chowk. Even after laying of the sewerage, the road had not been constructed, rendering the area dangerous for traffic, especially motorcycles. Locals complained that a number of motorcyclists had been injured after falling into ditches along the damaged road, that could not be noticed because of inundation by the rainwater.

The rainwater has even submerged some recently carpeted roads despite their increased level.

However, the administration and civic authorities remained busy in making efforts to drain out the rainwater from the city.

The citizens have urged the authorities to resolve the long-standing issue of poor drainage system in the city.

Published in Dawn, April 2nd, 2023