Wasa issues high alert as unexpected rains hit south Punjab

MULTAN: Heavy and unexpected rains disrupted life in South Punjab, contrary to weather predictions, starting on Monday evening and continuing throughout the night.

As soon as the heavy rain began in Multan on Monday evening, the Wasa authorities issued a high alert and initiated drainage of rainwater within their limits on the instructions of Commissioner and Director General of Multan Development Agency Maryam Khan. They also began inspections of disposal stations.

A report from Wasa indicated that the old Shujabad road disposal station received the highest rainfall at 15 mm, followed by 12 mm at Chungi No-9 disposal station and 13 mm at Kari Jamandan disposal station. Wasa ordered field presence and alertness due to future rain forecasts.

The rain flooded roads such as Nishtar Road, BCG Chowk, Vehari Road, Khanewal Road near Rasheed Abad flyover, and Vehari Road near Allah Wasaya Chowk. A sucker machine was used for rainwater drainage throughout the night as the rain continued intermittently.

The Multan Electric Power Company reported that heavy rain and strong winds impacted power supply in various areas of South Punjab. The rain caused 101 feeders to trip in Multan, Bahawalpur, Muzaffargarh, and Dera Ghazi Khan divisions.

Mepco Chief Executive Officer Engineer Rana Mohammad Ayub Khan instructed the restoration of power from the affected feeders. Operational staff and line workers were told to remain vigilant. After the rain subsided, power restoration efforts began. Mepco’s operational staff worked throughout the night and successfully restored all 101 tripped feeders by Tuesday. The Mepco CEO issued an advisory for public safety which said: Report leaking electricity or downed lines; stay clear of such dangers and keep children away; don’t use electrical wires for laundry or tie animals to poles; use proper plugs and avoid wet conditions around wires.