While the State Meteorological Department has predicted good monsoon this season, the government departments concerned do not seem to have contingency plans to tackle heavy rains.
Though developmental work is going on in the city, including the Bikram Chowk flyover and blacktopping of roads in various areas, there is no plan in place to clear the roads of heaps of soil and stones dug in the process.
Also, the pebbles and coal tar that spills on the lanes and drains after the road is blacktopped are not being removed. This could lead to clogging of the drains and can result in flooding of the drains in the monsoon.
The heaps of garbage that are a regular feature at various points in the city, particularly adjacent to Sarwal Hospital and at heavily populated Parade Ground area, stink during rains and could lead to water-borne disease.
However, Health Officer of Municipal Corporation Saleem Khan said, “We are well-geared to tackle any eventuality. The department has brought three to four new small JCB machines to clear off dust and grime in the wake of monsoon and our men are well-equipped to clean the lanes and drains to avoid overflooding and littering of garbage on roads.”
He also said that the corporation was in constant touch with the Health Department to engage its infrastructure jointly to keep health hazards at bay.
Another major fault that is often reported during the monsoon is snapping of power lines besides the breakdown of transmitters.
While the monsoon is just a month away, no step has been taken by the Power Development Department (PDD) to carry out a reality check on the electric poles and wires.
However, a PDD official said it was impossible to tighten or repair all loosely hanging wires in the city. Since new infrastructure was being laid, old wires would be replaced soon, he added.
Heavy rains expected but no drainage plans in place
