In recent years, Lahore has experienced devastating rains that have ravaged the city and its suburbs, particularly settlements along the banks of the Ravi River. This year was no different. A single cloudburst can decimate lives and properties, making urban flooding a recurring phenomenon.
For the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), this situation translates into a substantial workload. After heavy showers, parts of Lahore become inundated, turning some areas into no-go zones and requiring emergency workers to evacuate stranded residents. Roads and streets get engulfed, drains overflow, and vehicles are often submerged. In certain places, even wading through the water becomes difficult.
Despite promises made by past and current WASA officials, the flooding crisis appears to have worsened. Ghufran Ahmed, the incumbent WASA Managing Director, states that several initiatives have been launched to tackle the issue. According to him, 52 schemes have been chalked out with an estimated cost of Rs 25.06 billion. Of these, 10 schemes costing Rs 7.4 billion focus on rainwater storage.
Additionally, old sewers that have exceeded their lifespan are being replaced through 26 schemes, budgeted at Rs 9.16 billion. Six schemes have been initiated to replace 55 outdated machines, with a budget of Rs 1.70 billion. Another key project is the construction of the Haji Camp Drain, budgeted at Rs 4.10 billion.
Ahmed also highlights an extensive development programme in Lahore that covers 252 schemes with a total budget of Rs 41.35 billion. Out of this, Rs 21.05 billion has already been allocated.
### Challenges and Future Plans
The challenges for WASA are ongoing. Mudasser Javed, Director of Planning and Engineering at WASA, explains that Lahore’s infrastructure is weak, and rapid urbanisation has significantly strained the city’s drainage system.
To address these challenges, a Rs 49.27 billion project has been designed to build a trunk sewer aligned with Lahore’s Master Plan. This sewer will be 28 kilometres long, ranging from 5 to 12 feet in width, and will incorporate modern trenchless technology. The project also includes a disposal station with a capacity of 600 cusecs. The plan has been submitted to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for approval, with funding expected from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.
### Funding and Administrative Issues
Financing development projects remains a significant challenge. Documents from WASA reveal that the monsoon grant has been frozen at Rs 425 million since 2017, impacting regular drain maintenance. An enhancement to Rs 1 billion has been requested.
Another issue is the overlapping jurisdiction among multiple agencies responsible for water supply, sewerage, and drainage, leading to confusion and delays. WASA has recommended consolidating all these services under a single agency.
Solid waste disposal into drains and sewers exacerbates flooding, calling for strict enforcement to prevent such practices.
### Innovative Solutions: Lowering Parks and Greenbelts
Ahmed points out that Lahore’s 195 parks and open spaces are located on high ground, preventing them from storing rainwater effectively. The proposed solution is to lower the ground level of these areas so they can function as holding spaces during heavy rains.
Currently, WASA has initiated efforts to lower the ground levels of 140 parks. Among these, 66 are classified as high priority, 43 as medium priority, and 32 as low priority. Work has been completed on 13 parks, is underway on seven, while 120 are still pending. The plan is to keep parks two feet below road level, enabling rainwater to flow into them naturally. Similarly, 54 greenbelts have been identified for lowering, with 41 designated as high priority.
This approach is already showing results. For example, at Gol Bagh Park in Shadbagh, lowering the ground level by one foot reduced water ponding from six inches (which took two hours to clear) to three inches (clearing in one hour). In Subhan Park, Tajpura, lowering the ground level by two feet eliminated ponding entirely, compared to earlier water standing for three hours.
### Drainage Infrastructure and Machinery
WASA manages a complex drainage system consisting of numerous large drains:
– **Shalimar Escape Channel:** 13.44 km long, capacity of up to 1,000 cusecs
– **Upper Chhota Ravi Drain:** Nearly 5 km, capacity 1,480 cusecs
– **Lower Chhota Ravi Drain:** 5 km, capacity 100 cusecs
– **Cantt Drain:** Almost 29 km, capacity 1,340 cusecs
– **Sattu Katla Drain:** 17 km, capacity 800 cusecs
– **Shahdara Drain:** 7 km, capacity 260 cusecs
– **Charrar Drain:** 18 km, capacity 800 cusecs
WASA also possesses a large fleet of machinery to maintain these drains, including 40 suction machines, 56 dump trucks, 41 jet machines, 3 cranes, 24 water bowsers, 14 excavators, 134 dewatering sets, and 95 backhoe loaders and trolleys. Ahmed mentions that additional machines are being procured.
### Master Plan 2050: A Long-Term Vision
At the core of WASA’s strategy to mitigate urban flooding is the Master Plan 2050, which considers Lahore’s current and future needs, including anticipated vertical expansion.
The plan aims to separate sewage from stormwater and eliminate the use of lift stations. Ahmed believes that revamped storm-water channels will be more effective and resilient to climate change. During dry seasons, these drains could be transformed into waterfronts, adding recreational spaces and enhancing the city’s beauty.
An additional benefit of improved drainage is the reduction of air pollution caused by stagnant water and poor sanitation. The area covered by WASA will expand from the current 248 square kilometres—serving 8.7 million people—to 477 square kilometres, expected to serve up to 23.3 million people by 2050.
Treatment of sewage is expected to protect groundwater, improve aquatic life, and create healthier communities.
### Expert Insights
Urban planner Qaswar Abbas points out several factors exacerbating flooding in Lahore. Local depressions in roads, unfinished road cuts, potholes, raised green belts, and missing gratings contribute to water accumulation. Outdated or absent infrastructure, combined with the mixing of stormwater and sewage, worsen the situation.
To alleviate the problem, Abbas recommends that WASA increase rainwater storage facilities such as underground tanks and tunnels, utilize low-lying grounds and greenbelts, and promote rainwater harvesting. He emphasizes that bylaws addressing these issues already exist and require stricter enforcement.
### Conclusion
Lahore’s urban flooding problem is complex, fueled by rapid urbanisation, inadequate infrastructure, and poor management of water resources. WASA’s multi-pronged approach—including infrastructure upgrades, innovative use of parks and greenbelts, and adherence to the Master Plan 2050—offers hope for relief.
However, success depends on effective funding, streamlined administrative control, and strict enforcement of regulations. With these elements in place, Lahore can look forward to a more resilient and flood-safe future.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/1345142-flood-money