Torrential rain for the third consecutive day in the provincial capital has paralysed normal activities on Friday; it caused urban flooding, massive traffic jams and frequent power shutdowns. Also, Punjab Education Department on Friday ordered all the educational institutions to remain closed on Saturday (today) due to the two days of torrential monsoon rains.
The announcement from the education department has come after the continued rain forecasts and flood threats. According to the department, this step has been taken to avoid any mishap and losses to the students, as critical conditions have been created due to the unprecedented rain in city.
The Friday's rain in Lahore (300 mm) was recorded highest for the month of September where on average 180 mm of rain was registered by the Pakistan Meteorological Department. More heavy rain has been forecast for the city and its adjoining areas during next 24 hours. It left its familiar visible mark on the city. Rainwater had accumulated on all streets and roads, hence, causing inconvenience to the people, especially those living in low-lying localities. Most of the educational institutions and offices remained closed.
Economic activities in the provincial capital came to halt; the bustling commercial centres of Lahore, including Rang Mahal, Shahalam Market, Liberty, Anarkali, Brandreth Road and Lakshmi Chowk, came to a halt. Moreover, many traders had to bear huge losses, as rain water made its way in to the shops and its basements and consequently damaging millions of rupees worth goods. Many shop owners were seen draining out rain water from their shops with buckets and at the same time cursing the government for not making proper arrangements for draining out rain water.
The system of Lahore Electric Supply Company also failed resulting in electricity failure in various areas of the city. Many parts of the city were without power for many hours, which also interrupted the supply of clean water. The rain also claimed two lives and injuries to many due to electrocution and collapse of rooftops in different areas. Several houses in the city caved in, trapping the households under debris.
Heavy torrential rain exposed the city's poor drainage system, leaving all the posh and less developed areas under water. Traffic in Lahore came to a standstill due to flooded roads and residents were confined to their homes. Metro bus service to Gulberg was also suspended as roads in the area were completely flooded. Moreover, all the underpasses in the city became swimming pools.
Several motorcycles and vehicles broke down on roads while many houses were also filled with rainwater due to which the dwellers were in dire difficulties. In some places cars were seen deeply submerged in water. 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 into major hospitals, including Lahore General Hospital and Children Hospital, and houses in low-lying areas.
The places where rainwater had accumulated included Lakshmi Chowk, Misri Shah, Wasanpura, Mulran Road, 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, Mughalpura, Shalimar Link Road, Sandha, Shajmal, Ichhra and Islampura and GPO Chowk on The Mall.
The rain once again washed away all the arrangements and plans of WASA, 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 knee-deep water. WASA's claim of draining out rain water in record time also lost weight when rainwater ankle-high was still visible in the evening in many areas. The WASA staffs were available at several places but they remained unable to drain out water from the roads.