LAHORE: The city weather became pleasant after four strong spells of rain on Friday.

The rainwater inundated the roads and streets in the low-lying areas, causing traffic problems for the residents.

According to the Met Office, on Saturday (today), rain, wind / thunderstorm are expected in Lahore, Murree, Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Hafizabad, Gujrat, Narowal, Sialkot and Mianwali.

However, dry weather is expected in most districts of the province.

In Lahore, the rain was reported in most parts of the city on Friday, including Lakshmi Chowk, Mall Road, Shimla Pahari, Data Darbar, Model Town, Johar Town, Faisal Town, Gulberg, Gulshan-i-Ravi, Samanabad and Sanda.

Maximum rain was recorded at Lakshmi Chowk 47mm, Mughalpura received 42mm, Jail Road 15mm, airport 17mm, Gulberg 19.5mm, Upper Mall 34mm, Tajpura 25mm, Nakhuda Chowk 12mm, Paniwala Talab 33mm, Farrukhabad 15mm, Gulshan-i –Ravi 31mm, Iqbal Town 22mm, Samanabad 20mm and Johar Town received 13mm.

Dozens of Lesco feeders also tripped due to the rain, resulting in power outages in various areas. Almost half of the city was without electricity in the evening. The citizens faced problems in preparation of Iftar.

Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) Managing Director Ghufran Ahmed directed all the workers to remain alert during the rain and ensure disposal of rainwater from underpasses and low-lying areas. He directed the officers to use generators to clear the water in absence of electricity.

The MD also monitored the situation after rain and visited Lakshami Chowk disposal station. Director Gunj Bakhsh town briefed him about the water disposal operations.

Wasa officials also claimed to have cleared rainwater from Tajpura, Chowk Nakhuda, Cooper Road, Firdous Market, GPO, Kashmir Road, Lakshmi Chowk, Lytton Road, Shah Jamal, Sheranwala Gate, Allah Hu Chowk, Jinnah Chowk, Tika Chowk and the Nabha Road

Earlier, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) asked all the departments concerned to remain alert as heavy rains continue in different cities of Punjab.

The PDMA said the rain continued across Punjab and in several cities it rained cats and dogs. Heavy rainfall could submerge low-lying areas in Lahore, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi. The PDMA said strong winds and hails could damage weak infrastructure and standing crops.

According to Met Office, a strong westerly wave is affecting upper and central parts of the country and likely to persist in upper parts of the country during the next 24 hours.

Published in Dawn, March 25th, 2023