NAHIDA QURASHI
SURANKOTE
AUG 06
Torrential rains yesterday evening wreaked havoc in Surankote, leading to severe flooding in shops at Malik Market Draba and TCP Surankote. The downpour exposed glaring issues in the town’s infrastructure, particularly the lack of an effective drainage system. The ongoing construction of the Surankote to Bufliaz road has further compounded the problem, leaving the market area vulnerable to waterlogging. Shop owners in Malik Market Draba reported significant damage to their goods and premises, with floodwaters rising quickly and inundating their establishments. The situation at TCP Surankote was similarly dire, as water levels surged, causing extensive damage and disrupting local businesses.
The flooding has sparked outrage among residents and business owners, who blame the Municipal Committee Surankote for its failure to implement a proper drainage system. The situation is exacerbated by rampant encroachments throughout Surankote town, which locals claim are selectively addressed by municipal authorities based on personal biases. This selective enforcement has left many areas, including key commercial zones, vulnerable to such calamities. Shopkeepers and residents are demanding immediate action to rectify the drainage issues and address the encroachments fairly, warning that continued negligence could lead to further hardships and economic losses in the future.
