LAHORE: Heavy rains Friday paralyzed routine activities in the provincial capital, inundating different localities with rainwater.
The rain began early in the morning and continued till afternoon. As per the Meteorological Department, the city received 48 mm of rains while at Lahore Airport it was recorded at 40 mm. However, in some localities over 150 mm of rain was reported, making it heaviest of this monsoon session. The maximum temperature dropped to 28 Celsius degrees and the minimum temperature was 26 Celsius degrees. More clouds and heavy have been forecast for next 24 hours. The heavy downpour left commuters stuck on jam packed roads. The rainwater inundated all major roads of the city and restricted people to their homes. Icchara, Monzang, Shadman, Gulberg, Johar Town Qaddafi Stadium, Township, Badami Bagh, Abid Market, Nisbat Road, Laxmi Chowk, McLeod Road, Churburji, Islampura, Sandha, Krishannagar Bazar, Shadbagh, Railway Station, Missri Shah, Waseempura, Mughalpura, Do Muriah Pul, Queen's Road and Cooper Road, Baber Market, Outfall Road and Anarkali were inundated and the roads were submerged.
Vehicles, especially motorcycles, found it a daunting task to drive on the flooded roads and many were stranded in the water. Roads looked like rivers and canals, which blocked the traffic. Moreover, many markets opened late and salaried people were late to the work or could not go due to flooded streets.
Meanwhile, Commissioner Lahore Division Zulfiqar Ahmed Ghumman, accompanied by Lahore Afzal Danish and MD WASA Syed Zahid Aziz, visited different areas of Lahore to inspect the drainage of rainwater by the local administration. He visited Lawrence Road, Lakshmi Chowk, Railway Station, Mall Road and Circular Road during rain. On the occasion, he said that 171mm rain had been recorded in Lahore, which started pouring since very early in the morning and that was heavy rain spell in city during current monsoon. He said that 171mm rain was recorded at Pani Wala Talab area and 152mm recorded at Lakshmi Chowk area," he added. He said that all machinery, disposal stations and WASA staff were working in full swing to remove storm water. "As per briefing of WASA, all areas would be cleared completely," he added. He also directed the district administration to remain present in field till removal of rainwater from low-lying areas.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020