Peshawar’s rain: Civic mismanagement turns blessing into curse

PESHAWAR: The provincial capital found itself engulfed in a spell of rain and hail Friday afternoon, bringing both relief and woes to its residents.

The sudden deluge inundated roads, highlighting the pressing issue of civic mismanagement, while simultaneously offering respite from the sweltering heat, particularly significant during the fasting month of Ramazan.

The intensity of the downpour caught many off guard, flooding streets and exposing the vulnerabilities of the city’s infrastructure. In areas where roads had already suffered damage, water accumulated rapidly, impeding the movement of pedestrians and vehicular traffic alike. The scene painted a stark picture of civic neglect, with residents left to navigate through a host of problems brought forth by the floods in low-lying areas.

Amidst the chaos of flooded streets and stranded commuters, the downpour served as a sobering reminder of the urgent need for effective urban planning and infrastructure maintenance. Localities in the city, such as Kohati, Gulberg, Gulbahar, Dilazak Road, and even University Road and other main routes became impassable, exacerbating the difficulties faced by residents already grappling with the repercussions of inadequate civic management.

The inundation of even key thoroughfares is a usual sight in cases of rains, which underscore the need for proactive measures to address the city’s longstanding infrastructure woes.

Despite the challenges posed by the rain and hail, there was a silver lining to the inclement weather. As the heavens opened up, the oppressive heat that had gripped Peshawar during the fasting month of Ramazan began to dissipate, replaced by a cool and refreshing breeze. The sudden change in weather also brought relief to the faithful observing their fasting in the holy month.

In the provincial capital, the challenges exposed by the rains is a déjà vu thing and they have always underscored the importance of proactive urban planning and infrastructure development.