Strong winds, rain wreak havoc

Trees uprooted in many parts as Met Department predicts more rain

LAHORE: Strong winds and rain unexpectedly hit the city on Wednesday, resulting in uprooted trees and water accumulation, especially in low-lying areas.

The Pakistan Metrological Department (PMD) recorded the winds of Lahore at 10 KT or 18.55 Km/h and rainfall at 23mm. At the same time, temperatures were recorded at 25 degree centigrade. The PMD had forecast more rain in parts of Punjab, including Lahore, over the next 48 hours.



Talking to The Express Tribune, Punjab Chief Meteorologist Muhammad Riaz said that more rain was expected in Lahore. He confirmed that 23mm of rain was recorded in the city.

According to the PMD forecast, rain and thunderstorm with gusty winds was expected in upper Punjab, including Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sargodha and Faisalabad divisions. Rain was also expected in isolated places of DG Khan, Multan and Sahiwal divisions.

Due to strong winds, trees were uprooted in many parts of the city. The officials of the Lahore Parks and Horticulture Authority were seen removing trees from different areas.

The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) was also dispatched to collect water from the roads. According to the WASA spokesperson, the city was not severely affected by the rain. He added officials were already dispatched to counter the situation and nine inches of rainwater was removed from Qartaba Chowk, while 10 inches was removed from Lawrence Garden. He said more rain was expected and staff was deputed in different areas of the city to tackle the situation.

Meanwhile, from London, Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued directions to the administration and concerned agencies after learning of the torrential rains in the provincial capital. He ordered the use of all resources to effectively deal with the situation. “Administrative officers, police, WASA, PDMA, Rescue 1122 and local government officials should remain available in the field to solve the problems of the people. Immediate steps must be taken to drain out rainwater from low-lying areas and roads.



He added that officers, instead of sitting in their offices, should come out in the field and monitor draining activities. The CM asked that a report over progress be sent to him in London. “People should not face any difficulty and no leniency in draining out of water will be tolerated at all.”

Soon after the spell of torrential rain in Lahore subsided, the chief minister issued special directions to Punjab Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Shamail Ahmad Khawaja to visit low-lying areas of the city and personally witness the efficacy of newly provided suction machines.

On the ground, Khawaja exchanged views with local citizens at Abid Market and Queens Road Lahore where the rainwater was drained out by sanitary workers within two hours. He informed the people that the Punjab government had provided 44 new suction machines to WASA to drain standing water. “This step has worked well,” the ACS assured.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 7^th, 2017.