LAHORE: The second spell of pre-monsoon rain lashed the provincial capital on the third day of Eid, making the weather pleasant and allowing the citizens to enjoy their last holiday of Eid with full amusement.
However, the Met Office has warned that heavy falls may generate floods in different areas of the country.
Though heavy downpour has provided relief from the prevailing heat of the last two weeks, it has also exposed the poor drainage system in different areas of the city.
Yesterday, the first spell of scattered downpour started around 5 am which continued for one hour. However, the second spell of rainfall lasted four hours helping reduce the temperature.
The rain and pleasant weather enthralled the citizen, who rushed over to the parks and picnic spots of the metropolis where a large number of people, including women and children, could be witnessed enjoying the weather. Bagh-e-Jinnah, Gulshan Park, Jillani Park, Jallo Park and Lahore were among the favourite picnic spots.
The new spell of rain entered Lahore and other cities of the Punjab last week, but on Wednesday, early morning downpour submerged most of the low-lying and posh areas of Lahore under rainwater, disrupting the routine life of the dwellers.
The low laying areas where rainwater had accumulated included Tajpura Scheme, Lakshmi Chowk, Misri Shah, Wasanpura, Multan Road, Chauburji, Monzang Chungi, Muslim Town, Samanabad, Gulberg, New Garden Town, Town Ship, Lahore Railway Station, Lahore General Hospital, Peaco 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, Shajmal, Ichhra and Islampura and GPO Chowk, while a few areas of Defence, Model Town, Johar Town were seen under rainwater as well. A large number of people were seen pushing their vehicles and motorcycles out of the knee-deep rainwater in different roads of the city.
Earlier, WASA had claimed to make all the necessary arrangements to cope with the challenges during the rainy season. But yesterday its inefficiency was badly exposed. WASA staff was present at several places in Lahore but they remained unable to drain out water from the roads.
The system of Lahore Electric Supply Company also failed, resulting in electricity failure in various areas of the city. Many parts of the city were without power for several hours which also interrupted the supply of clean water.
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.
According to Pakistan Metrological Department, more rain has been predicted for the current week. In Lahore, 77mm rain was recorded at Farrukhabad area. The new advisory of Met Office stated that heavy falls may generate flash floods in the vulnerable areas particularly in Barsati Nullahs of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pothohar region, Gujranwala, DG Khan divisions and Kashmir.