LESCO system trips as heavens open

As many as 45 feeders tripped during downpour, leaving several areas in dark

LAHORE: The aging distribution network of the Lahore Electric Supply Company tripped up at the first whiff of monsoon rain. Although the downpour provided locals with some relief from the scorching heat, it also led to the tripping of as many as 45 power feeders.

Several areas of the provincial capital remained in the dark for hours on end and caused huge inconveniences for citizens.

According to the Pakistan Metrological Department (PMD), over 28.7 millimetres of rain was recorded in Lahore. The rain also exposed the deficiencies of the Lahore Water and Sanitation Agency's (WASA) drainage system as most city roads and residential areas were submerged after the downpour. Those particularly affected were low-lying neighbourhoods like Lakshmi Chowk, Tajpura, Misri Shah, Wasanpura, Chauburji, Monzang Chungi, Muslim Town, Samanabad, Gulberg, New Garden Town, Township, Lahore Railway Station, Lahore General Hospital, Peaco Road, Shahdara, Bhatti Gate, Kashmir Road, Chowk Nakhuda, Aziz Road, Eik Moria Pul, Do Moria Pul, Sheranwala Gate, Garhi Shahu, Begumpura, Mughalpura, Shalimar Link Road, Sandha, Shajmal, Ichhra and Islampura.

Besides the ongoing construction of the Lahore Orange Line Metro Train (OLMT), the government spent millions of rupees to resolve the chronic issue of accumulated rainwater on Nisbat Road and Lakshmi Chowk. However, the newly-installed rainwater handling system failed to deal with just 28-millimetres of rain.

Water accumulation also affected the smooth flow of traffic on main city roads as long queues of vehicles were witnessed in different areas. However, after media coverage of public complaints, senior WASA officials and district administration officials took note of the situation. They visited various areas of the city to start maintenance operations.

According to the weather report by PMD, there are seasonal low lies over Northwest Balochistan and its adjoining areas. A westerly wave is present over northern parts of Afghanistan and monsoon currents are continuously penetrating eastern parts of the country.



The report stated that rain/thundershowers are expected in scattered areas of Lahore, Gujranwala, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur, Mirpurkhas, Hyderabad, Karachi, Thatta divisions and Kashmir. They are also expected in isolated areas of Zhob, Kalat, Malakand, Hazara, Kohat, Bannu, Dera Ismail Kahn, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Sarghodha, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan division, Islamabad, FATA and Gilgit-Baltistan. Isolated heavy rainfall is also expected in Lahore, Gujranwala, Mirpurkhas, Thatta divisions and Kashmir on Friday.

The weather forecast for Saturday (today) predicts rain/thundershower with gusty winds in isolated areas of Lahore, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur, Malakand, Hazara, Zhob, Kalat, Mirpurkhas divisions, Islamabad, FATA, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan. It highlighted that over the last 24 hours, rain/thundershowers with gusty winds hit scattered areas of Gujranwala, Lahore, Bahawalpur, Thatta, Hyderabad and Karachi divisions. The weather system will also affect isolated areas of Rawalpindi, Sargodha division and Gilgit-Baltistan. The weather remained hot and dry in other parts of the country.

PMD data indicated that the following rainfall (in millimetres) was recorded in various districts of the country.

Punjab: Sialkot (Airport 45, Cantt 40), Kasur 38, Gujranwala 28, Lahore (Punjab University 23, PBO 21, airport 19), Okara 18, Sahiwal, Bahawalnagar 08, Gujrat 06, Faisalabad 02,

Sindh: Dhali 80, Chhor 44, Chachoro 40, Mithi 33, Diplo 24, Badin 07, Kalohi 04, Karachi (Jinnah Terminal, Landhi 02).

Gilgit Baltistan: Skardu 12 and Astore 02.

Chief Meteorologist Muhammad Riaz said the current weather situation was likely to persist over the next couple of days as monsoon season had started. “The situation will change after two days, but more rains are expected over the next week.”

Published in The Express Tribune, June 30^th, 2018.