Several areas of Lahore submerged after downpour

Residents complain authorities remained unmoved as rain continued to pour

LAHORE: As rainwater accumulated in the low-lying areas of the city, several areas of the city remained submerged on Thursday.

Areas facing difficulties included Samanabad, Shalamar Town, China Scheme, Green Town, Iqbal Town, Gulberg, Lakshmi Chowk, Walled City, Butt Chowk College Road and areas along the metro route on Multan Road.

Residents complained that the authorities remained unmoved as the rain continued to pour in Lahore. Zeeshan Raza, a resident of China Scheme, said that after every rain, water accumulated in the area and was a source of inconvenience for the residents. Another resident Javed, a resident of the Butt Chowk area of Township, said that the road was blocked because of the accumulated water.



Meanwhile, more rain was predicted by the Meteorological Department. According to the Met, in the next 24 hours, rain and thundershower with gusty winds had been predicted at scattered places in Kashmir, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat, Mandi Bahauddin, Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura and Nankana Sahib districts. In the last 24 hours, Lahore received 4 mm of rainfall, while Murree received the most rainfall recorded at 35 mm.

In Lahore, Deputy Commissioner Sumair Ahmed Syed, in a meeting, instructed assistant commissioners, town officials, Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) and WASA officials to complete de-watering in low-lying areas as soon as possible.

According to the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) officials, as many as 35 camp offices had been established to deal with the situation. He claimed that out of the 74 identified areas where water had accumulated in the city, the authority had cleared 51.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 30^th, 2017.