Monsoon rain: Day-long downpour inundates city

More rain is expected throughout the weekend

LAHORE: Two children were killed and traffic jams were reported on major roads in the City after it rained for more than nine hours on Thursday.

The Met Department has forecast another heavy rain spell over the weekend. The weather is expected to clear early next week. A Met Department spokesman told The Tribune the rain had started at around 5.15am and ended at around 2pm. He said 85.4mm rain was recorded at the airport and 81mm at the Jail Road observatory.

‘Unusually pleasant’

Lahoris woke up to light drizzle early on Thursday. Talking to The Tribune, Muhammad Mukhtiar, a banker, said he usually went for a morning walk when he woke up. “These days it is hot and humid. Today I was happy to see that it was raining and the weather was pleasant.”

He said he went for his walk despite the rain. “It was nice morning...not many people had come out. Those who did were seemed to be having a pleasant time,” he said.

As the day progressed, the rain became a nuisance for many as electricity feeders tripped. A Lahore Electricity Supply Company (LESCO) spokesman said 136 feeders in the City tripped.

Those who had to commute across the city found roads inundated. Footpaths became inaccessible where rain water had accumulated, causing most people to remain indoors.

Knee-deep water was reported at Lakshmi Chowk, Chauburji, Samanabad, Shadman, Gaddafi Stadium, Taj Bagh, Mughalpura, Ichhra, Model Town, Township, Johar Town, Firdous Market, The Mall Road and Garhi Shahu.

Alia Anum, a teacher at a public university said her first class was at 8 am. “I travel Johar Town from to reach Kutchery.” She said her usual journey took no more than 45 minutes. “Today, I could not make it to my class as I reached office an hour and a half late,” she said. She said traffic had been clogged throughout her route.

Water surrounds Quaid-i-Azam Library on The Mall (left). Children head to school (right). PHOTO: ZAHOORUL HAQ/EXPRESS

Roof collapses

Two people were killed and three others were injured in rain-related incidents.

A Rescue 1122 spokesman said the roof of a house in Chak Jhuggian had caved in. He said four members of a family were buried in the debris. He said the family was evacuated after several hours. He said two-year-old Noor Fatima was declared dead on arrival when she was taken to a hospital. He said her sister and parents were under treatment.

In Kahna, a man was injured after the roof of his house collapsed.

In Sabzazar, a 10-year-old girl died of an electric shock when she accidentally stepped on a live wire in a puddle.

Traffic plan

Chief Traffic Officer Tayyab Hafeez Cheema said extra wardens had been deputed at points where traffic was blocked. He said he had visited various parts of the city and awarded a prize and certificates to two wardens for good performance.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 26^th, 2016.