GUJRAT: Academic and official activities in Gujrat were brought to a halt on Wednesday after heavy rain submerged city roads, leaving the streets inundated with water.

Schools and colleges were closed, and government offices saw very low attendance due to the difficulties in commuting. The city streets and roads were flooded throughout the day, making movement nearly impossible.

Even the roads and streets in the rural areas surrounding Gujrat remained submerged in rainwater. The local administration issued an advisory urging citizens to avoid unnecessary movement amidst the severe urban flooding, which resulted from unprecedented rainfall this season. Civic agencies were actively working to drain the water, but the scale of the flooding posed significant challenges.

Students, teachers, parents and office staff from both government and private institutions faced difficulties reaching their destinations, with many forced to return home due to the impassable roads and streets. In response, the management of educational institutions announced the suspension of academic activities for Wednesday to prevent any potential accidents or incidents.

The situation was worsened by rainwater from rural areas surrounding Gujrat, which flowed into the city, overwhelming the local administration’s efforts to manage the urban flooding. The city’s sewerage and drainage systems failed to cope with the deluge, leading to widespread inundation.

The stormwater channels, such as Helsey and Bhimbher, overflowed due to heavy rainfall in their catchment areas, and the Chenab River also reached flood levels.

Deputy Commissioner Safdar Virk, along with his team, inspected various city roads, drains, and disposal stations, stating that efforts were ongoing to drain the rainwater. However, by evening, many city roads remained waterlogged, making it difficult for locals to move about.

Published in Dawn, August 22nd, 2024