Thunderstorm, rain hit Lahore

LAHORE: Heavy to moderate rain hit the City on Monday night while partly cloudy weather and humid conditions were observed in the day here on Monday. Met office predicted similar weather conditions with chances of rain during the next 24 hours. The rain hit the City around 8pm and continued till late night in different spans. Traffic jams were also witnessed at various city roads due to the rain. The city areas where rain was recorded included Johar Town, Township, Gulberg, Muslim Town, Wahdat Colony, Ichhra, Samanabad, Gulshan-e-Ravi, Allama Iqbal Town, Mughalpura, Tajpura, Chauburji, Rajgarh, Data Darbar, Farkhabad, Walled City, Misri Shah, Shadbagh, Airport, DHA, Badian Road, Kahna, Chungi Amarsadhu and etc.

Following the rain, Wasa and city administration was on its toes to clear the rainwater from the roads. Commissioner Lahore, Wasa MD, Deputy Commissioner and several caretaker ministers were in the field.

Met officials said moist currents from Arabian Sea were likely to penetrate upper parts and a westerly wave was also likely to enter the upper areas of the country. They predicted that rain-wind/thundershower (with isolated heavy falls) was expected in Kashmir, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad, Pothohar region and upper Punjab while hot and humid weather was expected elsewhere in the country. Rainfall was only recorded at some cities, including Mardan, Attock and Khuzdar. Monday’s maximum temperature was recorded at Nokkundi and Dalbandin where mercury reached 48°C, while in Lahore, it was 38.8°C and minimum was 28.8°C.

Commissioner visits Wasa head office: Commissioner Lahore Muhammad Ali Randhawa visited Wasa head office where MD Ghafran Ahmed briefed him about the Agency’s pre-operational measures during the monsoon season. The Commissioner also visited Wasa’s control room.

He instructed the Wasa management to take special arrangements before the next phase of rains in City. MD told the Commissioner that during the last one week, Wasa carried out further de-silting of 72km of sewers and drains. He further said that motors and pumps were fully operational at the underpasses while special teams were formed for better management of drainage after rains. All ACs and Wasa directors would be responsible for ensuring timely drainage in their jurisdictions, Commissioner ordered and said Wasa, LDA, CBD, MCL and bodies concerned should complete the preliminary steps to ensure timely drainage of rainwater from low-lying areas and underpasses. Commissioner Lahore also directed the district administration and allied departments to prepare a comprehensive drainage plan in collaboration with Wasa. He warned that strict action would be taken against those who were negligent and careless while performing their duties.