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In Punjab, the ribbon flood has become rapidly known. Every year, when monsoon rains spread to the plains, roads turn into rivers, stop traffic and business suffers significant damage.
Which was once a problem that was limited to major cities like Lahore and Faisalabad, now emerged as a wide and permanent problem affecting large and small urban centers. Under the repeated crisis this is a fact: Punjab’s rapid citizenship has pursued the ability to handle stormy water, causing its cities to suffer from weather.
A study by the Punjab Municipal Development Fund Company, titled, is a very important light on this challenge, studying rainwater storage facilities in different cities of Punjab. The report not only documents the increasing risk of urban floods but also highlights modern measures – especially stormy water storage tanks – which are proving game changer in urban flexibility. The results included in both engineering data and community opinions offer a tremendous case to promote these interference.
Punjab is the most populous province of Pakistan and the second is the most citizens. The tension on the drainage system is very high, with 41 % of the 51.97 million citizens of Punjab concentrated in Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Gujranwala and Rawalpindi. As cities spread, natural drainage patterns are affected by concrete roads, invasive floors, and wide -ranging developments that leave very little space for water absorption. The water that was once entered into the soil now runs across the asphalt and the stone, which ponds the bottom areas and overwhelmed the drainage system.
Sewerage networks are widely a joint system – designed to take some part of the sewage and storm water flow. The drains are designed to adjust 33-50 % of the storm water flow. When monsoon rains, which is up to 80 % of the annual rainfall, collides with Punjab, there are important risks to flooded roads, stagnant ponds, traffic chaos and property and health.
Economic costs are sufficient. Some businesses are close to the day as the shop fronts are sinking. Roads require repeated repairs and municipal authorities spend millions on water eliminating pumps. For residents, the psychological tool of living with repeated floods cannot be promoted.
The PMDFC study has highlighted a highly promising innovations in recent years. In 2019, WASA, Lahore launched underground stormy water tanks. The move will later renovate Punjab’s view of urban floods. The first tank, which was built in Lahore, was designed to temporarily store water, storing the run -off from the surrounding catchment area, and once slowly dropped after the pressure on the drainage network was reduced. The results were amazing: a notorious flood -affected area was turned into a flood -free transit.
Similar tanks were later constructed at Kashmir Road, Sheranwala Gate and Nishtar Park Sports Complex in Lahore. WASA Faisalabad followed it with a convenience on Dijkot Road. The PMDFC has begun construction tanks in Boriwala, Vihari, Khanewal and Wazirabad under the program of the World Bank’s financial support Punjab. 11 Hurricane water storage tanks are now being manufactured in Punjab. The purpose of the World Bank -Funded Punjab cities in collaboration with the Chief Minister’s Development Program is to further enhance these solutions, to ensure that all intermediate cities are equipped with the modern stormy water management system, including rainwater storage tanks.
The comparison of the data of rain incidents before and after the construction of underground storm water shows the total end of the pond.
Citizen floods in Punjab are not just a seasonal discomfort. It is a sign of deep structural challenges in urban planning and infrastructure management.
The benefits are immediately beyond relief. The stored stormy water is being reclaimed for unusual use such as irrigation parks, water green belts and recharge the equifals. It is important in a province that is shrinking water pressure and groundwater reserves. By moving rainwater from the roads to tanks and then from the green infrastructure, Punjab is not only reducing the urban floods but also protects its fresh water resources.
Mastul roofs have been given scenes with grass, parks have been restored to their original form or new entertainment places have been created.
The data collected from various sites shows that in areas under water with each monsoon, the underwater areas are now permanently flooded. This change has affected the rhythm of urban life. Where the shopkeepers once closed their shutters and the passengers were trapped, now there is a continuation of business and daily activity.
In Lahore and Faisalabad, stakeholders of traffic wardens from local traders noted that obstacles have declined rapidly, which has created an environment that is more conducive to economic activity and social welfare.
The report also identifies environmental profits of these interference. By reusing the stormy water stored for irrigation, watering the green belts and maintaining parks, the dependence on the already pressure freshwater reserves has been reduced.
Recovering the entire cities with separate sewerage systems can be prohibited, even interrupting. S. Storm Water Tanks provide a low effect and high return replacement that integrates into existing cities without interruption.
The report also provides a roadmap on how further Punjab city can advance water management in the coming years. At the center of its recommendations, there is a call to increase stormy water storage tanks and copy them to urban centers across the province.
The study also emphasized the need to bring rainwater management to the domestic domain. This shows that the harvesting of the roof should be made through the rules of the building. Beyond tanks and roofs, this report encourages the adoption of a green infrastructure.
It is another priority to reuse the reuse of rainwater caught for non -drinking purposes. Just new infrastructure is not enough. The study emphasizes the importance of public participation.
Citizens should be active partners, whether by complying with the remains of roof harvesting or avoiding the joint process of throwing solid garbage in the drains. Only through this joint effort – technological innovation in support of policy, investment and urban engagement – Punjab cities hope that rainwater will turn into a frequent -driven risk asset that maintains both urban life and environment.
Citizen floods in Punjab are not just a seasonal discomfort. It is a sign of deep structural challenges in urban planning and infrastructure management. Staying, this problem is at risk of deteriorating with climate change, which is likely to intensify rain incidence in South Asia. The PMDFC report offers both diagnosis and treatment. It provides a promising model, showing that stormy water storage tanks can turn flood -hit black spots into flexible citizens.
Only technology is not enough. Effective policy framework, proper financial support, and strong institutional capacity are essential to maintain these efforts. Braining change is also essential. Using rainwater – through large -scale tanks and domestic harvest – can change Punjab relations with water, and can turn the monsoon into an asset.
The author is a communication and public relations professional with a 20 -year experience that has 20 years of working with diverse organizations in public and private sectors.
