Despite heavy rain in the provincial metropolis for two hours continuously on Friday noon, a major part of the city remained submerged for a while and rainwater was flushed out gradually from city roads. Lakshmi Chowk, Bhaati Gate, Chowk Nakhuda, MM Alam Road, Liberty, GT Road, Lawrence Road and Garhi Shahu faced heavy rain and turned into ponds of water but water was cleared from roads in a span of almost two hours after the rain. Around 53 millimetres, 20 millimetres and 90 millimetres rain was recorded on Mall Road, Jail Road and the Allama Iqbal International Airport respectively.
The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) claimed to be prepared beforehand for rains starting from Friday. Following the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), devised especially for monsoon by WASA in coordination with other departments of the City District Government Lahore (CDGL), WASA staff showed steadiness to drain rain water from various points. WASA Managing Director (MD) Dr Javed Iqbal directed the staff to remain prepared amid the forecast of rain in the coming three days. Some citizens praised the efficient service of WASA.
Irfan Khan, a resident of Tajpura, said that for the first time, rain water disappeared from roads in time. Another citizen Ahsan Jamshed of the Walled City appreciated preparations of WASA before arrival of monsoons. However, most city streets remained inundated for long periods of time.
Roof collapse: Around 12 people, including six women, were seriously injured in two different roof-collapse incidents on Friday. According to Rescue 1122 and Edhi Foundation sources, 10 people were seriously injured when the roof of a dilapidated house located in Akram Park Sandah collapsed. Separately, a man and his wife were injured when the roof of their house in China Scheme collapsed due to heavy rain.
