LAHORE: With first spell of monsoon gripping the city, it was more of humidity rather than rain on Tuesday: the city received one millimeter of rain throughout the day, but 73 per cent humidity left the Lahorites sweat-soaked.

The meteorological officials predicted more and heavier rain during the night and early morning and said that the spell would continue for another day or so before fizzling out. “The monsoon season has formally begun and it will pound the city with heavy showers for the next two days.”

The Tuesday’s spell was very light and sporadic but next spells are going to be city-wide and heavy, working as humectant to test the nerves of the city dwellers, the Met officials warn. Slower winds, blowing at up to six knots but mostly at four knots, did not help the city either – neither cleared its air quality nor provided any relief from mugginess.

The air quality index (AQI), according to some organisations monitoring it, was still 169 – unhealthy level. Though it fluctuated during the day, yet stayed at unsafe level. Lahore also maintained its distinction of the most polluted city, with Faisalabad at 119 and Peshawar 113.

Disrupts power supply to some areas

“It means that the city pollutants are stronger than the Mother Nature’s capacity to clean it. Rain, albeit light, was there on Tuesday and wind, though slow but was still blowing. It, however, could not turn the city breathable, especially with some kind of sensitivity and ailment. Some individual spots like Maratab Ali Road and Anarkali were over 200 mark.

Meanwhile, Punjab Disaster Management Authority Director General Faisal Farid has said that according to the meteorological department, monsoon winds have been blowing in most parts of the country since July 5 till July 7 morning.

Rain is expected across Punjab. Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Faisalabad, Lahore, Gujranwala and Sialkot are at risk of flooding due to heavy rains.

There is a serious risk of flooding in the local streams of the city.

Meanwhile, power supply to various urban and rural areas of Lahore was disrupted due to tripping of 11kV feeders and other technical faults emerged because of the rain.

The power disruption was reported in various parts of Lahore, including Johar Town, Multan Road and Thokhar Niaz Beg. “The electricity went off after the rain started and lasted for around one hour,” said Jamshaid, a resident of Johar Town. However, he said, the power resumed soon after the rain.

A spokesperson for the Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) told Dawn that the impact of Tuesday’s rain was of very low intensity on the company power distribution system.

“Only seven feeders tripped due to rain in Lahore as the system remained functional even during rain,” she added.

RUDA: An awareness campaign on registration in the Ravi Urban Development Authority Industrial Zone has been going on and giant billboards have been put up at various places in this regard.

According to a spokesman for the Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA), the Ravi Industrial Association in Ravi City launched a campaign to register factories in the industrial zone to provide better facilities and world-class infrastructure to the manufacturers of the area.

Moreover, hundreds of employers have registered with the authority in the campaign, while dozen others are joining the process.

As for the enrolment drive, Ruda will soon provide infrastructure in the industrial zone and manufacturers would be part of this drive and develop their industries.

Published in Dawn, July 6th, 2022