Torrential rain causes widespread damage in areas of Haripur

PESHAWAR Torrential rainfall caused widespread damage in Haripur district, with rainwater inundating shops and houses and floodwaters washing away a newly constructed road in Ghazi tehsil. According to the district administration on Thursday, heavy rain in various areas of Ghazi tehsil overnight created a difficult situation for residents. At Jhanyan Chowk and Pahai, rainwater entered shops and homes, causing losses worth millions of rupees to local residents and traders. Rainwater entered several shops in the market at Jhanyan Chowk, damaging goods worth millions of rupees. The accumulation of water severely disrupted business activities and created difficulties for traders. Affected traders urged the government and relevant authorities to immediately improve the drainage system at Jhanyan Chowk to prevent markets and shops from being flooded during future heavy rains. They also called for compensation and relief for businesses affected by the recent rainfall. In Pahai, several house walls collapsed due to heavy rainfall and strong water pressure near a water channel. The incident reportedly caused losses worth millions of rupees. Affected residents appealed to the government for financial assistance and compensation, saying inadequate drainage arrangements repeatedly cause problems for local communities during heavy rainfall. A recently constructed road in Ghazi tehsil was also damaged by the heavy rain. The road, built over a drain in front of the Sultania Marriage Hall, was hit by a flood surge and partially washed away. The floodwaters also swept away a section of the newly constructed road and a protective wall, disrupting road connectivity between nearby villages and residential areas and Ghazi city. The damaged road has caused serious transportation problems for residents of nearby settlements, neighbourhoods and villages around the GT Road and Sultania Marriage Hall. Students travelling to schools and colleges, employees commuting to offices and traders involved in business activities are facing difficulties due to the disruption. Affected residents have called on the government and relevant departments to immediately restore the damaged road, establish a permanent drainage system and provide compensation for losses caused by the heavy rainfall.