- 1 killed, 20 wounded as several cities across Punjab are lashed by heavy downpour coupled with strong winds
- Rains cause massive gridlocks in Lahore, submerge low-lying areas, trigger power trippings
Heavy rainfall lashed the provincial metropolis and other major cities of Punjab on Tuesday, inundating major roads and causing traffic snarl-ups, submerging low-lying areas, triggering power trippings, besides wounding several people in rain-related incidents.
In Lahore’s Samanabad area, a woman, Gull, died while her husband Sherin Khan and their five children sustained serious injuries when the roof of their dilapidated house caved in. According to rescuers, another 14 people were wounded across the province in rain-related incidents.
Around 50 power feeders tripped in the city and power supply to many areas remained disrupted for several hours.
Massive gridlocks were witnessed on Ferozepur Road, Canal Road, The Mall, Lakshami Chowk, Nisbat Road, Chauburji, Shahdra Chowk, Mozang and adjoining arteries, compounding the misery of motorists and pedestrians alike.
Ahmad Ali, a bike mechanic near Neela Gumbad, said traffic was at a standstill from GPO Chowk to Katchery Chowk due to accumulation of rainwater. He said a number of bike riders came to his shop complaining about rain-related faults in their bikes.
As many roads, especially those in low-lying areas, were presenting the look of a stream, many parents did not let their children attend schools and tuition centres.
Rana Abdul Rehman, a lawyer in Mozang area, said the torrential rain compelled him not to let his children go to the tuition centre as he himself had to face trouble reaching his chamber.
He recalled that despite the Supreme Court’s order to the district administration two years ago, Nahba Road was inundated even today.
Muhammad Shoaib, who runs a departmental store near Ganga Ram Hospital, said the city’s drainage system needed an overhaul. He argued that the government must construct roads and underpasses, but it should improve the century-old drainage system on an emergency basis.
Saud Sheikh, a resident of Chauburji, could not reach his university as his bike stopped working under knee-deep water.
Meanwhile, District Coordination Officer (DCO) Lahore Capt (r) Usman told Pakistan Today that officers were deputed by the CDGL at main points to ensure that pumps of the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) were functioning properly. He said the Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) staff was also put on alert. “I, along with the Lahore commissioner, WASA managing director and LWMC managing director visited the affected areas to ensure presence of the staff,” concluded the DCO.
According to the City District Government Lahore (CDGL), 64 mm rain was recorded at Jail Road, 125 mm at Airport, 88 mm near Ravi Bridge, 76 mm at Rang Mehal, 109 mm at Upper Mall, 105 mm at Lakshmi Chowk and 60 mm in Gulshan-e-Ravi area.
Meanwhile, intermittent rainfall continued in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, parts of Lahore and Gujranwala divisions, and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
According to the Met Office, Lahore, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Hazara divisions and the areas of Kashmir would receive rainfall tonight and the wet spell would continue till Wednesday.
