July 26, 2006	Wednesday	Jumadi-ul-Sani 29, 1427

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LAHORE, July 25: The heaviest rain of the season which claimed six lives left the metropolis paralysed on Tuesday. The 94mm rain inundated not only low-lying areas but also roads and streets in many posh localities.

As usual, the northern Lahore was the worst hit. Tajpura was under four to eight feet deep water till the filing of this report. With chances of more heavy rain, people of the area were wondering what was in store for them.

A death was also reported from Tajpura where a 19-year old special person drowned in the basement of a school for the disabled, which was entirely submerged. The rangers, which run the school, helped locate the body and evacuate stranded people.

The residents of the area have been raising their voice against poor drainage and sanitation. The City District Government which promised a drainage scheme for the area is yet to do anything concrete.

Other areas affected badly were Garhi Shahu Chowk, Allama Iqbal Road, Icchra, Mozang, Anarkali, Krishan Nagar, Sanda, Waris Road, Badami Bagh, Angoori Bagh Scheme, GPO Chowk on The Mall, Hussain Chowk, Gulberg, Chauburgi, Defence, Qaddhfi Stadium, Ferozepur Road, Lakshami Chowk, Beaden Road, Queens Road, Jail Road, Multan Road, Pakki Thatti in Samanabad, Governor’s House, Kashmir Road, Green Town, Faisal Town, Kalima Chowk, Bhati Chowk, some areas of Allama Iqbal Town along with the drain, and Walton.

Though the Wasa claimed that its 13 disposal stations and 150 de-watering units were working, low-lying areas, scores of roads and streets were still under water. Bad news from the metrological office was that the wet spell was expected to continue for a few more days.

Besides three fatal incidents of roof collapse in Baghbanpura, Ghaziabad and Mughalpura, there were reports of eight more identical incidents from other parts of the city which left over a dozen people injured. One such incident in Saddar left a dozen injured who were reported to be stable.

The rain and subsequent flooding added to the miseries of the motorists in the shape of worst traffic jams. It also caused suspension/fluctuation in electricity supply in certain araes.

The rain also delayed departure and arrival of planes at the Alama International Airport by at least three to four hours. It affected PK-209 for Dubai, PK-757 for London and PK-749 from Riyadh while Pk385 from Islamabad was diverted to Multan. According to airport authorities, the flights suffered a delay of up to four hours because of heavy rain in the airport area— 94 millimeters.

APP adds: Citizens faced great hardships when transporters suspended their operations after the rain submerged roads.

Lesco sources told APP that rain disrupted power supply and also caused fluctuation and tripping in various localities.

Weather pundits said Tuesday’s westerly wave over north of Kashmir moved eastward but it was still affecting Kashmir and adjoining Punjab. Seasonal low lay over Balochistan, while monsoon from Arabian Sea was reaching Punjab up to 7,000 feet.

It forecast more thunderstorm/rains at many places over Lahore, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi divisions and over the upper catchments of all the major rivers along with northern and north-eastern Punjab.

Scattered rain was likely to hit central Punjab, north eastern and western Balochistan, while isolated rain was expected over Sindh and NWFP.

Rain recorded at other cities was: Rawalpindi/Islamabad 209mm, Jehlum 85, Mangla 71, Tarbela 84, Sialkot 57, Rahwali 44, and Murree 12.

Meanwhile, the Flood Forecasting Division, Lahore, said that river Chenab at Khanki and Qadirabad was in low flood while all other rivers were flowing below the low flood level.