Heavy rain brings further death, misery to city
Couple perishes in roof collapse, man electrocuted to death
PHOTO:FILE
LAHORE:
Persistent heavy rain disrupted daily routines in the provincial capital and several other parts of Punjab, while as many as three people lost their lives in related mishaps, Rainwater accumulation also disrupted power supply and caused traffic jams in various areas of the city.
In Hayer, a couple died and three people were injured when the roof of their house caved in. Five people were trapped under the debris and locals called rescue teams which reached the spot and started operation.
They evacuated the victims and shifted them to a local hospital, but two people were pronounced dead on arrival. The deceased were identified as Manzooran Bibi and Manzoor. The injured included Raza, 5, Zahida Batool, 13, and Atta Muhammad, 27.
According to initial investigations, the roof caved in because it was made of mud and was in a dilapidated condition.
At least two dead as heavy rains lash Punjab, K-P
Meanwhile, a man was electrocuted to death in Township. The victim was identified as Bashir Habib. He received an electric shock after he touched a freezer in a shop. He received injuries and died on the spot. Police took the body to the morgue for an autopsy. They also collected forensic evidence from the crime scene and recorded the statements of eyewitnesses. Police said that they were investigating the matter further.
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar directed the local administration and Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) to implement SOPs devised for the early disposal of rainwater, especially from low-lying areas. He instructed officials to remain available in the field till the completion of the task so that the people do not face any difficulty in their movement during the rains. Similarly, he said the smooth flow of traffic should also be ensured.
WASA has established emergency camps at 35 places in the city. Lahore Development Authority (LDA) Director General Muhammad Usman Moazam and WASA Managing Director Zahid Aziz supervised the dewatering operation in different areas of the provincial capital. The LDA chief assured the availability of requisite equipment, such as dewatering sets, sucker trucks, and pumps.
Rain leaves trail of destruction
Meanwhile, nearly 175 feeders of the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) tripped due to heavy rain. There were complaints of water shortage due to the prolonged outage. A LESCO spokesman said field staff would begin power restoration operation after the rain stops. He said the company has already deployed special teams to handle a large number of consumer complaints.
Strong weather pattern
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), strong monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal are penetrating upper parts of the country and are likely to spread to central and southern parts from Thursday to Saturday.
The report shows that 13-57mm rain was recorded in different areas of Lahore, 07-141mm in Islamabad, 83-97mm Rawalpindi, 78mm in Narowal, 61mm in Jhelum, 35-43mm in Sialkot, 39mm in Gujranwala, 27mm in Murree, 24mm in Mangla, 12mm in Gujrat, 07mm in Mandi Bahaudddin, 06mm in Hafizabad, 85mm in Kakul, 16mm in Balakot, 06mm in Dir, 01mm in Malamjabba, 21mm in Garhiduppata, 16mm in Kotli, 10-14mm in Muzaffarabad and 10mm in Rawalakot.
According to a recent warning issued by the Flood Forecasting Division of Lahore, a strong monsoon rain-bearing system is likely to affect the upper catchments of all the major rivers, along with upper catchments of River Kabul and its associated tributaries, from Thursday onwards. Under the influence of this weather system, there is likely to be a threat of high to very high floods with sharp peaks of exceptionally high flooding upstream of Mangla.
Heavy rains claim three lives in Rahim Yar Khan
High to very high flood is also likely in River Chenab at Marala and its downstream. Flows may attain medium to high flood level in rivers Indus at Tarbela and Kabul at Nowshera, along with their tributaries.
Flows are likely to cross high flood levels in the tributaries of rivers Ravi (Hasri, Bein, Basanter, Ujh, Jhajri, Kather, and Deg) and Chenab (Palku, Aik and Bhimber). Urban flooding is also likely in Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Lahore, and Sargodha divisions.
The Flood Forecasting Division has also warned authorities to keep themselves up to date with the latest flood forecast and take precautionary measures.
Also, the National Disaster Management Authroity (NDMA) has also issued a warning and announced heavy rains for the whole week.
Traffic Issues
The heavy rains also led to traffic congestion in the city. Main roads, especially underpasses, were flooded with knee-deep water. In some areas, the water even reached chin level. Commuters remained stranded due to traffic blockades. At a few places, vehicles were seen floating near underpasses. Traffic wardens remained on the roads to clear any gridlocks. Trees also fell and blocked some roads, while a sinkhole appeared in Johar Town.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 26th, 2019.
Persistent heavy rain disrupted daily routines in the provincial capital and several other parts of Punjab, while as many as three people lost their lives in related mishaps, Rainwater accumulation also disrupted power supply and caused traffic jams in various areas of the city.
In Hayer, a couple died and three people were injured when the roof of their house caved in. Five people were trapped under the debris and locals called rescue teams which reached the spot and started operation.
They evacuated the victims and shifted them to a local hospital, but two people were pronounced dead on arrival. The deceased were identified as Manzooran Bibi and Manzoor. The injured included Raza, 5, Zahida Batool, 13, and Atta Muhammad, 27.
According to initial investigations, the roof caved in because it was made of mud and was in a dilapidated condition.
At least two dead as heavy rains lash Punjab, K-P
Meanwhile, a man was electrocuted to death in Township. The victim was identified as Bashir Habib. He received an electric shock after he touched a freezer in a shop. He received injuries and died on the spot. Police took the body to the morgue for an autopsy. They also collected forensic evidence from the crime scene and recorded the statements of eyewitnesses. Police said that they were investigating the matter further.
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar directed the local administration and Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) to implement SOPs devised for the early disposal of rainwater, especially from low-lying areas. He instructed officials to remain available in the field till the completion of the task so that the people do not face any difficulty in their movement during the rains. Similarly, he said the smooth flow of traffic should also be ensured.
WASA has established emergency camps at 35 places in the city. Lahore Development Authority (LDA) Director General Muhammad Usman Moazam and WASA Managing Director Zahid Aziz supervised the dewatering operation in different areas of the provincial capital. The LDA chief assured the availability of requisite equipment, such as dewatering sets, sucker trucks, and pumps.
Rain leaves trail of destruction
Meanwhile, nearly 175 feeders of the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) tripped due to heavy rain. There were complaints of water shortage due to the prolonged outage. A LESCO spokesman said field staff would begin power restoration operation after the rain stops. He said the company has already deployed special teams to handle a large number of consumer complaints.
Strong weather pattern
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), strong monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal are penetrating upper parts of the country and are likely to spread to central and southern parts from Thursday to Saturday.
The report shows that 13-57mm rain was recorded in different areas of Lahore, 07-141mm in Islamabad, 83-97mm Rawalpindi, 78mm in Narowal, 61mm in Jhelum, 35-43mm in Sialkot, 39mm in Gujranwala, 27mm in Murree, 24mm in Mangla, 12mm in Gujrat, 07mm in Mandi Bahaudddin, 06mm in Hafizabad, 85mm in Kakul, 16mm in Balakot, 06mm in Dir, 01mm in Malamjabba, 21mm in Garhiduppata, 16mm in Kotli, 10-14mm in Muzaffarabad and 10mm in Rawalakot.
According to a recent warning issued by the Flood Forecasting Division of Lahore, a strong monsoon rain-bearing system is likely to affect the upper catchments of all the major rivers, along with upper catchments of River Kabul and its associated tributaries, from Thursday onwards. Under the influence of this weather system, there is likely to be a threat of high to very high floods with sharp peaks of exceptionally high flooding upstream of Mangla.
Heavy rains claim three lives in Rahim Yar Khan
High to very high flood is also likely in River Chenab at Marala and its downstream. Flows may attain medium to high flood level in rivers Indus at Tarbela and Kabul at Nowshera, along with their tributaries.
Flows are likely to cross high flood levels in the tributaries of rivers Ravi (Hasri, Bein, Basanter, Ujh, Jhajri, Kather, and Deg) and Chenab (Palku, Aik and Bhimber). Urban flooding is also likely in Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Lahore, and Sargodha divisions.
The Flood Forecasting Division has also warned authorities to keep themselves up to date with the latest flood forecast and take precautionary measures.
Also, the National Disaster Management Authroity (NDMA) has also issued a warning and announced heavy rains for the whole week.
Traffic Issues
The heavy rains also led to traffic congestion in the city. Main roads, especially underpasses, were flooded with knee-deep water. In some areas, the water even reached chin level. Commuters remained stranded due to traffic blockades. At a few places, vehicles were seen floating near underpasses. Traffic wardens remained on the roads to clear any gridlocks. Trees also fell and blocked some roads, while a sinkhole appeared in Johar Town.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 26th, 2019.