SARGODHA: A 72-inch drainage pipe under the Lower Jhelum Canal burst on Sunday, inundating various residential areas and hundreds of acres of crops in Sargodha. The incident, attributed to poor maintenance by the municipal corporation, caused canal and sewage water to flood nearby communities, raising fears of house collapses.

Within hours, streets were submerged under three to four feet of water, forcing residents to seek refuge on their roofs. Areas such as Hamid Town and Sillanwali Road Colony were particularly hard-hit. Despite efforts, sewage pumps were unable to operate effectively due to the overwhelming influx of water.

Commissioner Jahanzeb Awan, along with other municipal officials, arrived at the scene shortly after the incident was reported. Emergency orders were issued to close the canal to prevent further water from entering affected villages. Municipal corporation staffers are working on repairing the broken pipe and diverting water flow toward fields to alleviate pressure on residential areas.

The chief engineer of the irrigation department said that the canal itself remains intact; the issue arose from the burst pipe located outside the canal, which allowed canal water to flow into the residential areas.

The deputy commissioner announced the establishment of a relief camp at a nearby marriage hall for displaced women and children. A tent settlement is also being prepared at the Red Crescent Hospital compound, with transportation provided for affected families. The police are helping in the rescue operations.

Despite ongoing efforts, the flow of canal water into the disposal pipeline has not yet been contained, leading to flooding in Sargodha, including Main Chowk, Mian Khan Road, Karkhana Bazaar and the Municipal Corporation office.

Chief Officer of the Municipal Corporation Zoya Baloch said the unusual situation was being faced by urban residents due to the burst pipe. She said that normal life has been severely disrupted, especially in Hamid Town and its surroundings. She urged the public, particularly those in the affected blocks and markets, to minimise water usage over the next three days to facilitate the sewer pipe repair efforts.

Published in Dawn, October 14th, 2024