Torrential rains: City reeling under rain onslaught

Met Office has predicted more rains today, another spell from Wednesday.

LAHORE:

City roads were again inundated on Friday after torrential rains for the third consecutive day. Many roads and streets were flooded.

Met Department officials say heavy rains are expected till Saturday. It is unclear if the weather will clear by Monday. Another rain spell is expected from Wednesday.

Met officials said 515mm rain had been recorded in the city since September 1.

On Friday, they said that 283.5mm rain was recorded.

Ravi River, according to Chief Meteorologist (Floods) Muhammad Riaz, was flowing normally. He said the discharge was 10,000 cusec.

He said flood warnings were issued for Rivers Chenab and Jhelum a few days ago.

Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) Public Relations Officer Imtiaz Ghari said they would not be able to clear water from the city on Saturday as more rain was expected.

Power outages added to problems caused by rain. WASA officials said nearly 81 disposal units had been shut down in 30 lift stations.

He said 11 disposal stations were powered by emergency generators.

Streets in Gulberg, around Ferozepur Road, Samanabad, Shadman, Shah Jamal, Upper Mall, Wahdat Colony, Wafaqi Colony, Township and Laskhmi had most water.

Many drivers who ventured into standing water suffered break downs.

Low-lying houses in Shadman, Misri Shah, Samanabad, Ichhra, Wahdat Road, Wafaqi Colony and Township were flooded.

Sucker lorries were seen operating in several areas.

A lorry driver told The Express Tribune these vehicles could not provide immediate relief.

He said once the vehicles were filled with water, they had no place to drain it.

Rainwater made most of the underpasses on Canal Road inoperative.

More than 50 LESCO feeders tripped early on Thursday, said a LESCO official.

Thirty-six trees were uprooted on Canal Road, The Mall, Shaukat Ali Road and Gulberg.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 6^th, 2014.