Flood survivors left facing lasting damage

PHOTO: EXPRESSWith the deadly monsoon season finally over, social and commercial activities have returned to normal in the flood-hit areas of the twin cities, with families displaced by flooding also returning to their homes, bearing flood scars.However, the devastation caused by the floods remains clearly visible in the affected low-lying localities, where property prices have reportedly fallen sharply.

A large number of residents have put up 'For Sale' boards outside their houses, apparently seeking to leave the vulnerable areas.Flood-damaged streets remain broken, while many homes are undergoing fresh paintwork after their walls were damaged by floodwater.

In several houses, water marks are still clearly visible on walls.

Residents are also continuing to dump damaged furniture, clothing, bedding and other household items in the streets.Residents of some of the worst-hit areas, including Javed Colony, Nadeem Colony, Mohalla Fazalabad and Arya Mohalla, said flooding occurs almost every year.

Gul Tasab Khan, Amjad Shah and Maroob Hussain said single-storey houses were completely submerged this year, destroying household belongings.They complained that no minister, adviser, elected representative, councillor or district administration official visited the affected areas to offer assistance.

They also alleged that WASA, the Municipal Corporation, Suthra Punjab Authority, Rescue teams and other relevant agencies failed to undertake proper post-flood cleaning.The residents said the Health Department had also yet to carry out protective spraying, forcing affected families to dispose of damaged belongings themselves and clean the streets outside their homes.

Unless otherwise stated, all content is Flood survivors left facing lasting damage Qaiser Shirazi | Updated 21 minutes ago | Families return to damaged homes; property values plunge in various localities.