Many parts of city had no electricity for many hours
Citizens in the provincial capital suffered another day as downpour lashed the city and its suburbs on Saturday, disrupting the normal life by causing an urban flood, inundation, massive traffic jams and frequent power cuts.
The tall claims made two days ago by the officials of city district administration and its supporting departments WASA, LDA and others fell flat as the rain continued causing mayhem.
The first spell of torrential downpour in the city started early morning around 7:45 am and continued till 9:30 am in different areas, including Airport, Mall Road, Ferozpur Road, Jail Road, Lakshmi Chowk, Garden Town, Gulberg, Johar Town, Samanabad, Defence and others which turned almost all adjacent streets and roads into lakes. This situation caused problems for dwellers to reach their destination as a low attendance was witnessed in most of the offices and schools.
This two-hour-long spell of heavy rain caused several motorcycles and vehicles to break down on roads while many houses were filled with rainwater due to which the dwellers were in dire difficulties.
Later, scattered and low downpour situation continued in different areas throughout the day which disturbed the traffic flow in the city. However, the situation became normal in the evening on major roads in the city.
The city administration directed all of its efforts to remove water from Lakshmi Chowk area, where DCO Lahore and WASA MD were present to monitor the water “cleanup” operation, while no such special effort was observed in other areas of the city.
The overflowed rain water entered inside many houses located in low-lying areas, where people were observed draining out water from their houses.
Heavy downpour also caused problems in different hospitals of the city, as rain water was witnessed standing still there.
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, Model Town, and Johar Town were also seen inundated with rain water.
The system of Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) also failed, resulting in electricity failure in various areas of the city due to tripping of dozens of LESCO feeders. Many parts of the city were without power for many hours, which also interrupted the supply of clean water. Even till late night, many parts of the city were without electricity as the supply of electricity was badly hampered due to rain.
According to Met office, Lahore Airport area was at the top as it received 111mm rainfall while Tajpura 82mm, Main Market 56mm, Upper Mall 59mm, Jail Road 56mm and Johar Town received 40mm rainfall. Met office also forecasted more rain in the next three days.
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is visiting Turkey, in view of rains in Lahore and other cities of Punjab, has directed the administration and relief agencies to remain alerted and ensure quick drainage of rainwater to minimise the problems of the people. According to a government statement, the CM has issued instructions to the Provincial Cabinet Committee on Flood from Istanbul, Turkey, that elected representatives, administration and senior officials of institutions concerned should remain in the field and supervise the drainage of rainwater. He said that routine activities of the people should not be interrupted due to rains and responsibilities in this regard should be discharged in an efficient manner. He further directed that special measures should be taken for a smooth flow of traffic. He said that a report should be submitted to him through Whatsapp or e-mail in Istanbul after completion of drainage work.
Met office officials said that the latest rain spell would continue in Lahore and adjoining areas in the next 24 hours.
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.