Around 150 LESCO feeders tripped, further upsetting Lahorites
The normal life in the provincial capital became paralyzed as heavy rain lashed on Thursday, exposing the efficiency of the administration badly. At least two minor girls were killed in varying rain related incidents in the city and also caused urban flooding, massive traffic jams and frequent power shutdowns.
A nine-year-old girl Mina was electrocuted in Sabzazaar area. In a separate incident, a two year girl Fatima died while her mother and two brothers were wounded after the roof of their house collapsed.
The new spell of rain entered Lahore, along with other cities of the Punjab on Wednesday, but on Thursday, early morning downpour submerged most of the low-lying and posh areas of the city under rainwater which disrupted routine life of the dwellers.
This spell of heavy rain exposed the city’s poor drainage system which left nearly all the areas under water. Traffic in Lahore came to a standstill due to flooded roads and residents were confined to their homes.
Before the monsoon season, WASA had claimed to make all the necessary arrangements to cope with the challenges during the rainy season. However, the WASA staff was available at several places, but they remained unmoved when it was the time to drain out water from the roads.
The low-lying areas where rainwater had accumulated, included Tajpura Scheme, Lakshmi Chowk, Misri Shah, Wasanpura, Multan Road, Chauburji, Mozang Chungi, Muslim Town, Samanabad, Gulberg, New Garden Town, Town Ship, Lahore Railway Station, Lahore General Hospital, Peco Road, Shahdara, Bhatti Gate, Kashmir Road, Chowk Nakhuda, Aziz Road, Eik Moria Pul, Do Moria Pul, Sheranwala Gate, Garhi Shahu, Begumpura, UET, Mughalpura, Shalimar Link Road, Sandha, Shahjamal, Ichhra, Islampura and GPO Chowk on the Mall while a few areas of Defence Housing Authority (DHA), Model Town, Johar Town were also seen under rain water.
Almost all the roads and streets were inundated with water which caused problems for motorists as well for the pedestrians. Several motorcycles and vehicles broke down on roads while many houses were also filled with rainwater.
During heavy rain, a massive power breakdown was witnessed in the city after more than 150 LESCO feeders tripped.
Commercial activities in the city came to a standstill, as the major shopping centres of the city, including Mall Road, Hall Road, Rang Mahal, Ichra Bazar, 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 into the shops and its basements, consequently damaging millions of rupees worth of goods.
The system of Lahore Electric Supply Company also failed resulting in an 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.
Met office officials said that the latest rain spell would continue in Lahore and adjoining areas in the next 24 hours.
On other hand, major parks and picnic spots attracted a large number of people, including women and children in the evening. Huge rush was witnessed at Bagh-e-Jinnah, Gulshan Park, Jillani Park, Jallo Park, Lahore Zoo and other picnic spots in the city.
Rain also lashed in other cities of Punjab, including Kasur, Shiekhupura, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Narowal, Kamoni, Gujranwala, Faisalabad and Sahiwal, where several incidents of roof collapse were reported.