BAHAWALPUR, Aug 2: The sanitation and emergency staff of the tehsil municipal administration (TMA) could not drain out rainwater when another downpour hit the city and suburbs on Saturday afternoon, intensifying the problems of the people living in low-lying areas.

On Friday, Punjab Special Education Minister Malik Iqbal Channar had ordered TMA officials to clear main sewer lines and drain out the accumulated water from the low-lying chowks, bazaars, kachi abadis, but residents had to face a great deal of inconvenience as sewerage was still choked.

The busy Fowara Chowk remained submerged with knee-deep water even after a lapse of 24 hours and people had to wade through water.

Saturday’s rain added to sufferings of the people of low-lying areas like Shahdara mohajir colonies, Baghdad colonies and the Zanana Hospital Road. Fowara Chowk was the worst-affected place in the heart of the city. Circular Road also presented a picture of neglect.

Satellite Town was no exception and its residents remained unattended by the TMA sanitation staff as town’s roads and streets remained flooded with water. No pumping sets were installed to drain out water, and people stayed indoors throughout the day.