Heavy rain in the provincial metropolis left the city inundated for several hours. Rainwater entered homes and mosques and offered WASA the first real test of the season. Rains began early morning at 4.45am and heavy downpours started around 6am. WASA claimed that overall 153 millimeters of rain was recorded in the city on Monday.
The city appeared a pond as WASA workers struggled to excavate water from a number of location, with citizens finding WASA short on staff and capability.
Lahore Commissioner Jawwad Rafique, MPA Khawaja Imran Nazir, MPA Khawaja Salman Rafique, MD WASA and other officials monitored the situation. WASA claimed that WASA’s machinery was active immediately and disposal and lift stations began to function.The Lahore Commissioner monitored the situation through the WASA control room, with MPA Khawaja Imran Nazir updating Hamza Shahbaz on progress.
Rainwater also entered shops, causing financial losses at Samnabad, Lakshmi Chowk, Chuhng, Kahna, Thokar Niaz Baig, Nishtar Colony, Islampura, Baghbanpura, City Courts, Wahdat Road, Ferozpur Road, Mall Road, MM Alam Road, Icchra, Garhi Shahu, Iqbal Town, Muslim Town, Model Town and other parts of the city.
A mosque in Shalamar was inundated and citizens were forced to bucket out water themselves without government assistance.
Rainwater entered residential colonies in the city’s low-lying areas. A number of homes in Icchra were flooded. Citizens claimed that had asked WASA officials to improve the drainage system but had received no response. The city’s underpasses also filled with water, especially the Jail Road and FC College underpasses. Vehicles stopped and commuters travelled with difficulty. Motorcyclist used raincoats to be able to travel.
Signboards and trees also fell in Defence and Muslim Town.
An Akbari Mandi trader told Pakistan Today that his store was flooded with water and he suffered losses.
Hamza Shahbaz:
Pakistan Muslim League-N central leader and MNA Hamza Shahbaz Sharif visited the city’s low-lying roads and crossings during Monday’s rains and supervised the drainage operation. He visited Laxmi Chowk, Do Moria Pull, Aik Moria Pull, Misri Shah, Chowk Nakhuda, Shadbagh, Circular Road, Fort Road and other areas. Talking to media, Hamza said disposal of rainwater from Northern Lahore as well as the Old City was a long-standing problem however civil agencies had performed well. He said a drainage project costing Rs. 40 billion was being implemented in Northern Lahore and the problem would soon be resolved.
