TAXILA, May 26: Amid prolonged power outages and the extremely sultry weather, the local residents thronged water spots in and around the Taxila city, including Wah Garden and Khanpur Dam, to beat the heat on Sunday.

It has been observed that the sizzling heat and high level of humidity is forcing the people to get some by visiting the water spots.

The canal carrying drinking water from the Khanpur Dam to Islamabad is the best place to enjoy bathing and picnic under the shadows of trees and cool breeze when there are power outages of over 18 hours.

Water shortage and continuous power outages have increased the trouble of residents particularly when the sun is blazing.

Scores of people, especially youth and families, from Taxila, Wah Cantonment and adjourning areas and even from Rawalpindi and Islamabad, visit the water spots here where they were seen beating the heat by taking dips into the canal.

At certain places like Mohra Mardu remains, Khrrum Paracha, 7-Up, spillway and Shohal, the visitors were busy in enjoying ice cream and lots of other fun.

The residents of Taxila city also thronged the Khanpur Dam and its adjacent canal to get relief from the harsh weather and hours-long power outages.

Not only the youth but also elderly people were also seen bathing in the water.

At certain places, even women were beating the heat by taking a dip into the cool water.

Touseef Shah, a resident of Wah Cantonment, said he brought his family to the water spot as his children had developed skin problems due to the prolong power outages and the sizzling heat.

He said cool water was an attraction for the family to spend a day out.

Raja Imran Khan, of Taxila, said the canal was the only place to get relief from the heat and loadshedding and on every hot day he came here along with family members.

Tahira Bano said the presence of youngsters at the water spot always created problems for female picnickers but it was the only place for the residents of the area to get relief from persistent humidity and hot weather.

The rush of people also created an opportunity for boatmen who keep waiting for these monsoon days.

Talking to this reporter, Raja Hanif, a boatman, said the number of visitors to the site had been on the rise with every passing day and people not only from Taxila and Wah Cantonment but also from Rawalpindi, Islamabad and Haripur were coming to enjoy the rare sight of gushing water in the dam.