Heavy rain disrupts traffic, daily life in Lahore’s low-lying areas

LAHORE: Heavy rain lashed Lahore on Saturday, inundating low-lying areas, major roads and several underpasses, making movement difficult for pedestrians and motorists in different parts of the city.

The downpour disrupted normal traffic as rainwater accumulated on roads and in low-lying localities, leaving motorists struggling to navigate waterlogged stretches.

Pedestrians also struggled to move through streets and roads where water had accumulated.

According to rainfall data from the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa), the city received an average of 24.6mm of rain.

The highest rainfall of 104mm was recorded at the airport, followed by 75.6mm at Kahna, 62.6mm at Hadiara Defence Road and 58.6mm at Manawan.

Tajpura sub-divisional officer’s (SDO) office recorded 40.2mm of rain, while 32.8mm was recorded at the Mughalpura SDO office.

Shadipura received 28.4mm, Nishter Town 28mm, Chowk Nakhuda 11mm, Johar Town SDO Office 11mm, while 10.8mm was recorded at the Wasa head office in Gulberg.

Upper Mall received 9mm, Samanabad SDO Office 4.4mm, Iqbal Town SDO Office 3.8mm, Saggian 3.8mm, Lakshmi Chowk 3.2mm, Jail Road 2mm, Gulshan-e-Ravi 1.8mm and Farrukhabad 1.4mm, while only trace rainfall was recorded at Pani Wala Talab.

Rain was also reported in Farrukhabad, Tajpura, Defence Phase-VI, Shadipura, Saggian, Lakshmi Chowk, Chowk Nakhuda and surrounding areas. Harbanspura and several other localities received heavy showers.

The rain brought relief from the heat and made the weather pleasant, but waterlogging in several areas caused inconvenience to residents and exposed the vulnerability of low-lying localities to heavy rainfall.

Meanwhile, Wasa Lahore said it had deployed field staff and machinery at various locations to drain accumulated rainwater.

Wasa Managing Director Ghufran Ahmed inspected drainage operations at Mubeen Shaheed Underpass, Noor Jehan Road, MM Alam Road, Main Boulevard Gulberg, Qaddafi Stadium and Liberty Chowk.

He also visited Kalma Chowk Underpass, Garden Town Water Tank, Usman Block Emergency Relief Camp and Usman Block Disposal Station.

Officials said drainage operations were continuing at waterlogged locations, with heavy machinery deployed in low-lying areas. Disposal stations in areas experiencing power outages were being operated on generators.

Wasa Vice Chairman Chaudhry Shehbaz Ahmed also inspected drainage operations at Shalimar Link Road, Bhagwanpura, Baghichi Sethan, UET, Ek Moriya, Do Moriya and Chowk Na Khuda.

Earlier, Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Abdul Rahim Shirazi directed supervisory officers to remain in the field and monitor low-lying points and traffic conditions during the rainfall.

Traffic officials were directed to coordinate with Wasa for the timely drainage of rainwater from waterlogged locations.

Traffic police advised motorists to drive at moderate speeds, maintain a safe distance from other vehicles and avoid sudden braking on slippery roads. Motorcyclists were advised to wear helmets and avoid unnecessary overtaking.

Citizens were also advised to assess the depth of accumulated water before entering flooded roads and avoid crossing stretches where water levels were unsafe.

The traffic police warned citizens against standing near electric poles, transformers, fallen power lines, trees, weak walls and under-construction structures during rainfall.