The provincial capital on Wednesday received the heaviest downpour (150 mm) of the on-going monsoon rain, which inundated majority of the city localities, and thus leaving the city life paralysed. Wednesday's rain in Lahore was recorded highest in the country where on average 150 mm of rain was registered by the Pakistan Meteorological Department.
More heavy rain has been forecast for the city and its adjoining areas. The heavy downpour left its familiar visible mark on the city. Rainwater had accumulated on all streets and roads, and hence causing inconvenience to the people, especially those living in low-lying localities.
In some places cars were seen deeply submerged in water. Also, for the consecutive three days the people are getting late to their offices or work place, since 'mini-lakes' has abruptly disturbed commuting of people, and the markets are opening late. The rain has turned majority of roads in to filthy mini-lakes with tones of waste material and plastic bags floating on the water, causing a great deal of nuisance to the public, especially the motorists who had to pass through an ordeal with the traffic flow coming at a snail pace. Also, rainwater had entered in to major hospitals, including Lahore General Hospital and Children Hospital, and houses in low-lying areas.
The places where rainwater had accumulated include Lakshmi Chowk, Misri Shah, Wasanpura, Chauburji, Monzang Chungi, Muslim Town, Samanabad, Gulberg, New Garden Town, parts of Johar Town, a few areas of Defence, Model Town, Town Ship, Lahore Railway Station, Lahore General Hospital, Peaco Road, Shahdara, Bhatti Gate, Kashmir Road, Chowk Nakhuda, Aziz Road, Eik Moria Pul, Do Moria Pul, Sheranwala Gate, Garhi Shahu, Begumpura, University of Engineering and Technology, Mulghalpura, Shalimar Link Road, Sandha, Shajmal, Ichhra and Islampura and GPO Chowk on The Mall.
The rain that hit the city early in the morning and continued for a few hours washed away all the arrangements and plans of WASA and thus forcing the people to wade through deep pools of water for several hours. WASA's tall claim of improving the drainage system was exposed, as most part of the city submerged in the ankle-deep water or more until evening. WASA's claim of draining out rain water in record time also lost weight when rainwater ankle-high was still visible in Muslim Town, Shajmal, Samanabad Main Market, Rasool Park and few block of Iqbal Town.
The residents of these areas complained that no WASA staff turned up to address their complaint despite repeated requests. WASA Managing Director Dr Javed Iqbal while talking to media claimed that duration of water stagnation in sensitive areas of the city has reduced due to the efforts of the Authority, as its staff pumped out water in record low time. He said 10 mobile de-watering units were working in the city besides the necessary staff and equipment.
He also said that 101 mm rain was recorded in the city Wednesday and despite heavy rain fall, WASA succeeded in draining rain water from Laxami Chowk, Kashmir Road, General Hospital, Railway Station, Chowk Nakhuda, Aziz Road, Eik Moria Pul, Do Moria Pul, Sheranwala Gate, Bhati Gate, GPO Chowk Mall Road and Qurtuba Chowk.
According to his claim, water was drained by 10:15 am from Eik Moria Bridge and from GPO Chowk and Qurtuba Chowk by 12 noon. Thirty-two emergency drainage camps were working in the city to meet any emergency while 1500 WASA staff, 106 screw jetting units and 205 de-watering sets were being utilised to ensure draining of rain water from the city. It all happened due to the monitoring of the Chief Minister Punjab and special arrangements made by the Authority. People can contact toll free number 1334 or through SMS on 0321-2221334 to get help of WASA for redressal of complaints.
Meanwhile, as per the Met office, maximum temperature recorded in the city was 29 degrees Celsius and minimum was 23.5 degrees Celsius, while humidity level was 100 percent in the morning and 77 percent in the evening. Met office has predicted fairly wide spread thunderstorm/rain with isolated heavy rains over north of Punjab, Kyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Kashmir. Scattered thunderstorm/rain is also expected over Gilgit-Balistan, South Punjab, North East Balochistan and Kalat divisions.
Other parts of the country also received rain today, including Kamra 124 mm, Banu 103 mm, Garhi Dupatta 88 mm, Hatian Bala 87 mm, D. I. Khan 80 mm, Peshawar City 67 mm, Muzaffarabad 63 mm, Kakul 62 mm, Faisalabad 61 mm, Palandir 60 mm, Rawalakot 57 mm, Muree 55 mm, Sailkot 41 mm, Kallar 34 mm, Jassar and Islamabad 28 mm (each), Jhang 20 mm, Kotli 18 mm, Mandibahaudin 13 mm, N. P. Thal 12 mm, Balakot and Zhob 11 mm (each), Sargodha 10 mm, Cherat 9 mm, Dir 7 mm, Mangla 5 mm, Hunza, Jhelum and Saidu Sharif 2 mm (each) and Mirkhani 1 mm.
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