PAMPORE: Residents of Drangbal area of Pampore in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district have alleged Urban Environment Engineering Department’s faulty drainage system has led to inundated many residential houses and including the Town Hall of Pampore.
The residents told Kashmir Reader that the drainage system gets blocked very often due to which adjacent lanes and by lanes are flooded with rain water.
Sameer Ahmad Dar, a local resident Drangbal told Kashmir Reader that a forecast of heavy rain and snowfall was given by weathermen a couple of days ago.
“The concerned department had ample time to unclog the blocked drainage system,” he said, adding that he is unable to understand why these drains get blocked when huge amounts have been spent on their maintenance.
He said that blocked drains rain water has submerged lanes.
“The water has entered into our courtyard,” he said, adding that water also entered into a tent which was erected by them for accommodating guests at the marriage ceremony. He said that due to submerged lanes commuters also suffer. Farooq Ahmad, a local resident, told Kashmir Reader that the underground drain is blocked due to accumulation of polythene and other waste.
“The drain remains blocked even in July,” he said, adding that they have been appealing to authorities time and again for cleaning the drain. Tehsildar Pampore Ishtiyaq Mohi-ud-Din told Kashmir Reader that they received distress calls regarding waterlogging in Pampore town.
” The dewatering pump was having some issues due to unavailability of electricity, now the electricity has been restored and the dewatering pump is working in full capacity, I am hopeful that by evening dewatering will be done provided rains come to halt,” he said.
He also has issued helpline numbers for the information of the general public of Pampore Tehsil requiring assistance in view of the prevalent weather situation in the Tehsil.
The general public have been asked to contact the following numbers in case of any help, 9906000164 and 9906516261.

BILAL HABIB