Lahore put on rain alert

Several localities in metropolis already inundated

LAHORE:

With several low-lying areas in Lahore flooded due to continuous rain for hours, the meteorological department has issued an alert for more rainfall in the next 24 hours.

The alert was issued that the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) as well as other departments concerned may make arrangements to cope with the situation.

Saturday’s rain in Lahore and several other cities brought down the temperature and humidity level.

The downpour began early morning in the provincial capital, Sangla Hill, Kot Radha Kishan, Pattoki, Warburton, Jandiala Sher Khan and Mananwala, and continued for several hours.

Daily routine of the citizens was affected by the heavy rain, traffic flow remained slow and especially the schoolchildren and office employees faced difficulties in commuting.

A tree fell onto the Campus Road during the heavy rain and traffic wardens diverted vehicles going towards the Gulzar Underpass to move in single lane.

City Traffic Officer (CTO) Mustansar Feroze said he had ordered clearance of the road at the earliest, but the citizens should avoid speeding during rain.

The highest rainfall in Lahore during the day was 160 milimetres, recorded at Qurtaba Chowk, followed by Gulshan Ravi 145mm, Lakshmi Chowk 140mm, Gulberg 125mm, Paniwala Talab 110mm, Nishtar Town 105mm and Samanabad 60mm.

Rainwater accumulated in in many parts of the city, causing considerable problems for the residents.

A resident of an inundated area said water polling on the roads and in residential areas after rain in the city had become a routine occurrence.

A former official said whole speaking to The Express Tribune that the government spent billions of rupees on the development of Lahore every year, but a separate rainwater drainage system had never been built.

He said the rainwater flooded the roads and caused problems for the residents of various areas because of the dilapidated sewerage system of the city.

He said the authorities concerned should focus on improving the drainage system.

Following the forecast by the meteorological department of more rain in the next 24 hours, WASA Managing Director Ghufran Ahmed said monitoring of the drainage operation was ongoing. He said all water disposal stations were being operated at full capacity.

A minimum temperature of 22 and maximum 26 degrees was recorded in Lahore on Saturday.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 24^th, 2023.