TAXILA, Feb 6: Heavy rains over the last three days have multiplied problems for the residents of Taxila, as many of them have been left without electricity and landline phone connections, while standing rainwater mixed with sewerage water is a common scene in different low-lying parts of the city.

These rains have exposed poor work of the civic agencies like tehsil municipal administration and cantonment board, as they failed to promptly respond to the situation to clear the areas of stinking water.

Rainwater was seen accumulated in low-lying areas including Wahdat Colony, Macharr Colony, Banni Mohallah, Nawababad,
Ismailabad and Asifabad. Several residents also complained that water had entered their houses.

Rain, which ended early on Wednesday, also affected traffic flow on various roads in cantonment area.

According to residents, they have been facing problems due to low gas pressure in their houses since rain started three days ago on Sunday.

A large number of landline phones went dead in various parts of the city as rainwater had accumulated in the underground cable system.

When contacted, a spokesman for PTCL, Wah region, said rains had damaged the underground telecommunication network of the city.

He said no maintenance staff was available on Tuesday due to official holiday and the post-rain maintenance operation would be launched after water was drained out of the underground cable network.

Moreover, 12 mud houses collapsed in village Khurrum Paracha, while walls and roofs of houses fell due to incessant rain in various rural areas, including Salargah, Garhi Afghanan, Ahatta, Thatta Khalil and Lub Thatto area. No loss of life was reported.

People of different areas complained of fallen electricity wires, collapse of transformers and faults in distribution lines.

However, Wapda maintenance staff refused to come to their rescue, saying that according to official SoP, they were not allowed to carry out maintenance work during rain.

They said electricity would be restored to affected areas only after rain stopped. Lack of electricity also caused water scarcity in different areas and people were seen getting water from mosques.

Various rural areas of Hassanabdal, especially Kot Sondki, Kot Meera and Kot Dadu, are also without electricity from last three days.

A large number of residents, especially in rural areas, have complained about unavailability of LPG cylinders, firewood and coal to cook food.