Pakistan’s civic failures leave residents bracing for yet another monsoon crisis

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Taxila: Residents of Wah Model Town say they are once again facing severe urban flooding, overflowing drains and sewage-contaminated streets. They blame years of administrative neglect and failing civic infrastructure.

The seasonal rains have become a recurring source of hardship rather than relief for thousands of families living in the area, as reported by Dawn.

According to Dawn, situated along the historic Grand Trunk (N-5) Highway and falling under the jurisdiction of the Wah Cantonment Board, Wah Model Town has grown into a major residential and commercial hub.

However, residents continue to struggle with inadequate drainage and sewerage systems. These systems have seen little improvement despite the area’s expansion over the years.

Residents say many stormwater drains and sewer lines remain clogged or poorly maintained. Consequently, even moderate rainfall floods roads and neighbourhoods within minutes.

The latest showers submerged several streets after blocked drains failed to carry away rainwater. This disrupted traffic, restricted pedestrian movement, and created difficulties for schoolchildren and emergency responders.

Social worker Abdul Saboor said the situation is aggravated by cattle farms located in the adjoining Khanabad area.

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During heavy rains, animal waste is reportedly washed onto nearby roads and residential streets. This creates unsanitary conditions and raises environmental and public health concerns.

He noted that the problem affects residents across Phase I and Phase II. In these phases, hundreds of homes, markets and commercial buildings have been established over the past three decades, as highlighted by Dawn.

Another community representative, Ulfat Hussain, said the issue dates back to the early 1990s, when the private housing scheme was developed within Wah Cantonment.

He alleged that, after selling residential and commercial plots, the developer gradually withdrew from municipal responsibilities. As a result, residents are uncertain about which authority is responsible for maintaining essential civic infrastructure.

Despite regularly paying property taxes, transfer fees and other government charges, locals say they continue to receive inadequate municipal services, as reported by Dawn.

(ANI)

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