Relief from heat: Lahoris wake up to maiden monsoon shower

Temperature declines by around seven degree Celsius.

LAHORE:

A downpour on Thursday brought temperature down by around seven degree Celsius providing relief to people from days of simmering weather.

The Met Office has forecast more rain on Friday (today). The maximum temperature recorded on Thursday was 31.2 degrees Celsius – down by 6.8 degrees Celsius recorded on Tuesday.

The Met Office recorded 16 millimetres of rain in the city and 12mm at the airport. The maximum rain (35mm) was recorded in Farukhabad.

Rainwater inundated several city roads causing problems for motorists. Bhaati Gate, Lakshmi Chowk, Garhi Shahu, Misri Shah, Aik Moria Pul, Do Moria Pul and Cooper Road were affected the most.

Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) officials said all the areas, expect Cooper Road, were cleared within two hours of the rain. They said Cooper Road drain had choked due to malfunction sewer system of two hotels in the area.

A large number of students from the Punjab University’s Mass Communication Department joined hands with Lahore Waste Management Company sanitation workers to clear rainwater in various city areas, including Lakshmi Chowk and Do Moria Pul.

Speaking on behalf of the LWMC, the students urged citizens to adopt efficient waste disposal practices. They said littering resulted in choked drains and requested them to avoid throwing trash in streets. LWMC Managing Director Khalid Majeed said the company would keep organising such awareness campaigns during the monsoon season. He said a massive awareness campaign would soon be launched with the help of students.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 18^th, 2014.