Peshawar:
A magic form with stormy rain on Monday turned Peshawar into a waterproof city, flooding roads, markets and residential areas while disturbing public transport and daily life.
The bully, which was recorded on 52 millimeters of the meteorological department, lasted for two hours and submerged key arteries, including Saddar Road, Kohat Road, University Road, Ashraf Road and Charsadda Road.
Markets in Pipal Mandi, Qissa Khwani, Kohati and the Shafi market were severely affected when flooding water entered the stores and injured merchandise worth millions. In Jahangirpura, several Peshawari Chappal stores were also flooded.
Overliking drains deteriorated the situation and pushed dirty water into stores and homes. Residents and shop owners spent hours draining the water themselves as municipal response remained absent. At noon, the inner city, including Namak Mandi, Ghanta Ghar, Chowk Yadgar, Pipal Mandi and adjacent areas, looked like a lagoon.
Electricity supply collapsed in many parts of the city and threw whole neighborhoods in dark for hours. Panic spread among residents living near channels and streams as rising water forced more families in Budhni, Warsak and Kabul flood belts to evacuate in safer places.
The city’s bus rapid transit (BRT) service also stood for a standstill. Several buses were stranded on flooded tracks in Hayatabad, Kohat Road and Charsadda Road. Several BRT stations, including Peshawar Cantt and University Road, were submerged, causing serious disadvantages to commuters.
Private transport was just as disturbed, while large commercial centers remained closed due to flooding. Residents criticized the bad drainage system and said “the flower town turned into a city with dirt within minutes of rainfall.” Normal life in Peshawar remains severely affected as authorities are struggling to restore order in the wake of the rainfall.
