MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): The capital of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Muzaffarabad, was inundated after a brief spell of heavy rainfall, disrupting traffic and daily life across the city.
According to footage received from the affected areas, several main roads and highways turned into ponds shortly after the rain, severely affecting the city’s transportation and traffic system.
Poor and untimely drainage arrangements further aggravated the situation, with rainwater mixed with dirty water from drains entering residential areas, shops and commercial centres, particularly around the bypass and nearby localities.
Water also reportedly entered homes and businesses, causing concern among residents and damaging valuables kept inside shops.
Citizens expressed serious concern over what they described as inadequate cleaning and drainage arrangements by the capital administration, saying the situation could have been better managed with timely preventive measures.
Residents of the affected areas have urged the administration to deploy heavy machinery immediately, drain accumulated water on an emergency basis and restore normal traffic and civic conditions.
Weather Forecast
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Friday forecasted continuous monsoon rains in the northern and central parts of the country, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), during the weekend.
Met Office has informed that monsoon currents are continuously penetrating the upper and central parts of the country, and a westerly wave is also present over the upper parts of the country.
Under the influence of this weather system, rain, wind, and thundershowers are expected in Azad Kashmir’s Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, and Mirpur from August 21 (night) to August 23 with occasional gaps.
