Civic agencies put on rain alert

LAHORE:

Due to low wind and clouds moving in from the west, rain is expected to commence in various parts of Punjab, including Lahore.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued an alert to the district administration regarding the anticipated rain and various departments, including the Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC), have begun preparations to cope with the rainfall

Punjab PDMA Director General Imran Qureshi advised district administrations to remain vigilant, especially in the upper parts of the province and Lahore, where heavy rain is expected.

The rain is also expected to be followed by a new wave of cold weather.

According to the PDMA, rainfall is likely from Saturday to February 21 in the northern parts of Punjab, including Attock, Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Chakwal, Sargodha, Mianwali, Gujrat and Hafizabad. Rainfall may also occur in Gujranwala, Sialkot, Narowal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Faisalabad, Lahore, and Kasur.

Additionally, rain is expected in Bhakkar, Layyah, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Dera Ghazi Khan and Rahim Yar Khan on February 22 and 23.

There is a possibility of heavy rain and snowfall in Murree and the Galliat.

District Emergency Operation Centres and the PDMA Provincial Control Room have been put on alert.

The authority advised tourists and travelers to exercise caution during the period.

The DG instructed the authorities in the districts concerned to keep the staff and machinery on high alert.

Read PDMA forecasts rain in Punjab

Local government departments, including the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), were directed to take measures to prevent accumulation of rainwater in low-lying areas. The PDMA stated that the relevant officials should remain present in the field to monitor measures to cope with the expected rain.

The PDMA announced that citizens could contact its helpline number 1129 in case of an emergency.

Following the PDMA alert, WASA Managing Director Ghuffran Ahmed instructed the operational staff of the organisation to take immediate steps to address potential rain-related issues, including desilting of rainwater drains. The field staff were instructed to be proactive in drainage activities as soon as rainfall begins.

The chief executive officer of the LWMC also instructed the field staff to remain vigilant regarding problems for the citizens.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, the rising temperature is expected to decrease due to the rains, leading to a persistent wave of cold weather.

Health experts recommended continued use of warm clothes to prevent seasonal diseases in case of rainfall.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, February 16^th, 2024.