Monsoon rains' second spell frightens WASA officials: chief minister's surprise visit of affected areas

Tuesday's second spell of monsoon rains in the provincial capital sent jitters to the WASA high ups and rushed to the flooded spots of the city after hearing the news of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif's surprise visit to inundated areas. It has become a ritual for the CM to visit the rain-hit areas every year to examine the situation, which always is a daunting experience for the WASA high-ups, since they had to face the CM's wrath.
The irony is that Shahbaz Sharif conducts such visits when the streets and roads are flooded and the people are in extreme misery, and never inspects the WASA work before the commencement of monsoon rain. It might be based on political calculation that his presence after or during rain will enhance his popularity. Whatever is the reason, the CM's visit has shown little impact on the situation, as the Tuesday's heavy rain inundated most parts of the provincial capital and a familiar sight was seen, footpaths, roads and streets submerged in rain-water.
Hence, the entire city came to standstill. Like every year, people were late to offices and markets (already hit by limited working hours) opened late. Youth taking medial entrance test found themselves in a tight spot and their future was determined by flooded streets.
It is often said that monsoon rain is a good omen, but in some cases it brings bad news. The city sadly witnessed three casualties due to rain-related incident, of which are two children who were electrocuted. Again, this common fatality, during monsoon season, that goes unnoticed every year.
However, the only relief the Lahoriites got from rains was an escape from muggy weather, which was persisting for the past many days. The city received a good spell of rain: at Baghbanpura 89 mm, Farkhabad 78 mm, Upper Mall and airport 73 mm, Shahi Qila 57 mm, and Misri Shah 55 mm. The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast more rain for the provincial capital in next 24 hours, which mean more jitters for the WASA high-ups.
Like every year, among the affected areas were Lakshmi Chowk, Misri Shah, Wasanpura, Chauburji, Monzang Chungi, Samanabad, many parts of Gulberg and New Garden Town, Model Town, Town Ship, Shahdara, Bhatti Gate, Garhi Shahu, Begumpura, University of Engineering and Technology, Mulghalpura, Shalimar Link Road, Shajmal, Ichhra and Islampura and The Mall.
By evening, accumulated rainwater drained out from most parts of the city. A WASA official said they managed to drain out rainwater within 3 hours, but their efforts were hampered by loadshedding. WASA's claim of draining out rain water in record time was acknowledged by the CM during his surprise visit to different areas of the provincial metropolis during the torrential rain to review water disposal arrangements. Administration and staff of concerned departments were present at most of the places he had visited.
Talking to media after the visit, the Chief Minister said it is the first time in the past 60 years that water drainage system has produced better results in the provincial capital. He also said quicker disposal of rainwater has been witnessed in the areas that used to remain submerged for days. "Improvement is visible in the areas where practical work has been carried out and public representatives and WASA officials deserve credit for their efforts," he added.
"However, despite lying of new sewerage system the pace of disposal of rainwater was not satisfactory at M M Alam Road and action is being taken against the official responsible for this situation. The residents of Northern Lahore have unanimously acknowledged the fact that water disposal arrangements have improved as compared to the previous year and their homes and shops which were previously inundated remained safe this time," he observed.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast more rain in next 24 hours. They say fairly widespread thunderstorm/rain with heavy falls is expected over north Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Kashmir. However, isolated thunderstorm/rain is likely to occur over Gilgit-Baltistan. "This is due to a combination of the following: seasonal low lies over north-east Balochistan and adjoining areas, a trough of westerly wave moving across northern parts of the country and strong south-west monsoon current from Arabian sea is penetrating in sub-mountain areas of Punjab and Kashmir up to 7000 feet," they added.
Other parts of the country also received monsoon rain, including Kallar 283 mm, Mangla 141 mm, Jhalum 92 mm, Sialkot Cantt, Noorpur Thal 65 mm (each), Muzaffarabad 62 mm, Kotli 49 mm, Kakul 42 mm, Mandi Bahudin 41 mm, Islamabad 32 mm, Kamra 27 mm, Rawalakot 20 mm, Bhakkar 14 mm, Besham 11 mm, Faisalabad 9 mm, G. Dupatta mm, Murree and Balakot 8 mm (each), Saidu Sharif 7 mm, Joharabad and Zhob 3 mm (each), Chakdara, Sara-i-Alamgir, Bhakkar 1 mm (each), and Drosh, Gilgit, Sargodha, Bannu, Chilas trace (each).