Most areas in Abbottabad submerged as rain continues

ABBOTTABAD: Most parts of Abbottabad city were submerged and routine life paralyzed as the rain continued to lash the district for the third consecutive day on Thursday.The heavy rain caused widespread devastation throughout localities adjacent to the Mansehra Road.

The worst vehicle jam was witnessed on the busiest Karakorum Highway (KKH) where vehicles in long queues were stuck for hours due to flashflood.Several vehicles were reportedly damaged while a few were swept away by the flooded nullahs.

The persistent downpour disrupted normal life and left scenes of destruction and financial loss worth millions of rupees.Flashfloods inundated most parts of the city, including Supply Bazaar, Sethi Mosque area, Jhangi Qazian, Jhangi Saydan, Sir Syed Colony, small industrial estate and adjoining area near Ayub Teaching Hospital where furniture and household items were swept away, alongside damage to buildings. Main roads such as KKH, Murree Road, Kakul Road, Mandian, Supply Bazaar, and other link roads were blocked, disrupting the flow of all kinds of traffic.

The people said the National Highway Authority, Cantonment Board and Tehsil Municipal Administration were equally responsible for the flash flood in Abbottabad as all nullahs had encroached allegedly with their connivance.Abbottabad has been facing serious drainage and sanitation problems, especially in the rainy season, due to poor urban planning and encroachments on the ravines and nullahs.

During the current rainy season, all main roads of the town remained heavily flooded with rainwaters, causing huge traffic jams which added to the woes of common citizens, especially pedestrians.

During the rainy season, all the main roads of the town, including main Mansehra Road remain flooded with rainwater, causing traffic jams.According to the old maps of Abbottabad dating back to the British era available with the Cantonment Board, the city had three main drainage lines which included Jab Canal, Mirpur-Jab Canal and the Main City-Jab Canal.

Most of the Jab Canal has been encroached and the width has been reduced.This rainfall has completely changed the weather and signaled the start of the winter season.The downpour has transformed the weather, with temperatures dropping significantly.

According to meteorological reports, the rain is expected to continue for the next 24 hours, with a possibility of occasional showers in the coming days.The temperature is expected to remain between 15°C and 20°C, marking a significant drop from the previous levels.