Death toll from rains in Punjab hits 20

LAHORE:

The death toll from rain-related incidents in Punjab on Monday rose to 20 as 14 more people lost their lives across the province.

On Sunday, lightning claimed the lives of six people.

According to a statement issued by the Rescue 1122 spokesperson, most of the deaths occurred due to electrocution, drowning, and lightning.

The spokesperson said that five people died in Narowal and two in Sheikhupura after they were struck by lightning, while seven drowned in the province.

Ten people, according to the statement, were injured in incidents of wall and roof collapse in Lahore, three in Chiniot and one in Sheikhupura while seven sustained injuries after they were hit by lightning.

It added that of the 61 cases of electrocution referred to hospitals across the province, 54 were provided immediate medical aid.

The Lahore Garden Town road was flooded in which people could be seen wading through knee-deep water.

The Captain Mubeen Shaheed Underpass in Lahore was filled with water where a vehicle was seen submerged in water up till the roof.

For the convenience of the citizens, the traffic police in Lahore deployed additional wardens on busy roads and thoroughfares in low-lying areas of the city. The traffic police in a statement asked the people to practice caution during the rain, drive carefully, stay away from electric installations and poles and avoid unnecessary travel.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took notice of the situation, directing the provincial government and district administration to take immediate steps for draining the standing water.

“No leniency should be shown in addressing the public issues and grievances,” the PM Office Media Wing said in a statement.

The authorities were tasked to continuously monitor the situation with prompt measures in place.

The prime minister stressed that considering the situation, alternate routes should be timely identified for smooth vehicular traffic.

Similarly, in other parts of the country, the prime minister also directed for the adoption of safety measures during the rainy spells, calling upon the provincial and district administrations to save the people from any trouble with their joint collaboration.

Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi has directed all line departments, including the provincial administration, Punjab Disaster Management Authority, Rescue 1122, and Water and Sanitation Agency, to maintain a state of high alertness, operating round-the-clock, in response to heavy rainfall in Lahore and other cities.

The chief minister directed the officers concerned to remain present in the field, ensuring prompt drainage of stagnant water.

He emphasised the need for expeditious water drainage, without any compromise, utilising available machinery to implement the planned drainage strategy within the designated timeframe.

He sternly emphasised that no negligence would be tolerated in carrying out the vital task of water drainage.

Addressing the issue of traffic management, the CM emphasised the need for special arrangements to facilitate the smooth flow of vehicles, with active efforts required to resolve public grievances.

He urged administrative officers and Wasa staff to oversee and complete the water drainage operations while emphasising the initiation of immediate emergency measures in the event of any unfortunate incident.