TANDO JAM, Aug. 1: Intermittent rainfall continued in Tando Jam and surrounding areas, while a heavy downpour lasting about 20 minutes exposed the town’s weak drainage system, leaving several roads and residential areas submerged and disrupting normal life.
Rainwater accumulated up to knee level in various parts of the town, severely affecting traffic flow and daily activities. Major roads, including the Hyderabad–Mirpurkhas Road, along with Liaquat Town, Malakand Chowk, the main commercial area, Mehboob Town, Sakhi Wahab, and several other neighborhoods, remained inundated for hours.
Motorists and motorcyclists faced significant difficulties navigating flooded streets, while business activity slowed as customers and traders struggled to reach markets. Residents said they experienced considerable inconvenience during their daily commute because of stagnant rainwater.
Citizens pointed out that the Pakistan Meteorological Department had forecast heavy rainfall nearly a week earlier, but alleged that the Town Municipal Corporation (TMC) failed to make adequate preparations. According to residents, drains were not properly cleaned and no effective emergency arrangements were put in place, allowing even a short spell of rain to flood large parts of the town.
Residents also raised concerns about persistent waterlogging on the Hyderabad–Mirpurkhas Road, alleging that the responsibility for drainage along that section lies with the toll road administration. They claimed that despite collecting substantial toll revenues, the authorities have not taken practical measures to ensure proper drainage, resulting in repeated flooding after every rainfall.
Local residents and business owners said the recurrence of the same situation during each rainy season reflects poor planning and inadequate maintenance by the relevant authorities. They argued that official claims regarding development projects, sanitation campaigns, and drainage improvements do not match the conditions on the ground.
The affected residents appealed to the Sindh government, district administration, and other concerned authorities to take notice of the performance of both the Town Municipal Corporation and the toll road administration. They demanded immediate improvements to the drainage infrastructure and called for legal action against those found responsible for negligence, so that similar problems can be avoided during future monsoon rains.
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