GUJRAT: A 2,400-foot long trench has been dug out to divert the rainwater accumulated in agricultural land and residential localities of city outskirts.

The trench was made so that the accumulated water in the open fields may not further flow to the city areas alongside the Bhimbher road, said Gujrat DC Safdar Virk at a news conference in district government complex here on Tuesday.

Flanked by other field officers, the DC said the calamitous rains during the recent season had caused multiple issues as the rain water accumulation had been witnessed in at least six to seven villages in the city outskirts such as Madina Syedan, Jamal Pur Syedan, Chak Mubarak, Loraye, Gegian.

Moreover, he said breaches were developed in some spurs along the Hailsey storm water channel whereas the farmers and locals had also blocked some natural water flows to stop the water from entering into their fields due to which the flow of water diverted towards Gujrat city.

The residential localities along Bhimbher road, particularly the Zahoor Elahi cricket stadium, and its adjoining areas as well as Kutchehry Chowk, Jinnah Chowk, court road and few other areas remained flooded with the water even after the days of rain, the DC said and added that now an open trench had been dug up with at least 15 water sets installed in the area for the diversion of the water towards the Hailsey storm water channel.

Later, the DC also went to the site of trench along with the local media to inspect the functioning of the diversion.

It is learnt that Gujrat AC Bilal Zubair along with the team of revenue department officials has been performing the inspection duty in the rural areas of city outskirts so that the villagers could not create any blockage or breach of the water flow for the last couple of weeks.

Several criminal cases have also been lodged against some villagers by the AC after they offered resistance or blocked the water flow.

An official said the villagers had been asked to let the water drain out after which the possible damage to their crops might also be estimated for issuance of compensation by the Punjab government.

Published in Dawn, September 11th, 2024