Rain Exposes Islamabad’s Bumpy Roads, Drainage Woes
APP
Islamabad: As rain fell across Islamabad on Thursday, district authorities mobilized sanitation teams, de-watering pumps and field officers to prevent water accumulation on major roads.
While officials highlighted ongoing drainage operations and traffic management efforts, the rainfall once again exposed a persistent urban problem: the deteriorating condition of many roads and drainage systems in the federal capital.
Assistant Commissioners remained in the field, monitoring key roads, low-lying areas and drainage channels as sanitation workers worked to remove rainwater from public spaces. Authorities reported that drainage operations were underway at several locations, including IJP. Road, where waterlogging has become a recurring concern during rainy weather.
However, for many residents and commuters, the challenge extends beyond temporary water accumulation. Even moderate rainfall often reveals damaged road surfaces, potholes, uneven patches and poor drainage infrastructure that make travel difficult and, at times, hazardous.
Across several sectors and connecting roads, rainwater frequently collects in depressions created by broken asphalt and poorly maintained surfaces. These puddles often conceal potholes, increasing the risk of accidents for motorists and motorcyclists.
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Commuters say that while emergency drainage operations help ease immediate problems, they do not address the underlying issues of road maintenance and infrastructure quality.
Road users have repeatedly pointed to uneven surfaces, patchwork repairs and damaged sections of roads that worsen during the monsoon season. In some areas, repeated excavation work by utility agencies followed by inadequate restoration has left roads rough and vulnerable to rapid deterioration.
Experts note that urban flooding and road damage are closely linked. When drainage systems fail to efficiently channel rainwater away from roads, prolonged water exposure weakens road surfaces, accelerates the formation of potholes and shortens infrastructure lifespan.
The district administration says preparations for the upcoming monsoon season are already underway. Authorities have launched citywide cleanliness and drain-clearing campaigns aimed at reducing the risk of waterlogging and improving storm-water flow.
Assistant Commissioners are also monitoring nullahs and drainage channels to prevent blockages and ensure the uninterrupted flow of rainwater. Relevant departments have been directed to remain alert and respond promptly to weather-related emergencies.
Despite these efforts, residents argue that Islamabad requires a more comprehensive strategy that focuses not only on emergency drainage during rainfall but also on long-term road rehabilitation and modern drainage infrastructure.
Urban planners warn that climate change is expected to increase the frequency of extreme weather events, making resilient infrastructure more important than ever. Without sustained investment in road maintenance and drainage upgrades, even routine rainfall could continue to disrupt traffic, damage vehicles and create safety risks for thousands of commuters.
For now, field teams continue working to keep roads operational and traffic moving. Yet each spell of rain serves as a reminder that beneath Islamabad’s image as a planned city lies a growing infrastructure challenge that can no longer be ignored.
