LAHORE: Following rain and hailstorms in various parts of Lahore, the weather turned pleasant in the city, bringing smiles to the faces of the heat-stricken Lahorites.

The city experienced strong winds, making the atmosphere pleasant further .

Heavy rain was reported in many areas, including Nishtar Park Sports Complex, Allama Iqbal Town, Moon Market, Barkat Market, Ferozepur Road, Township, Johar Town, Model Town, Chauburji, Anarkali Bazaar, Mozang, Shah Alam, Misri Shah, Dharampura, Canal Road, Samanabad, Ichhra, Mall Road, Thokar Niaz Baig, Canal View, Multan Chungi, Yateem Khana Chowk, Mughalpura, Baghbanpura, Garhi Shahu, Gulshan Ravi and Sabzazar.

According to Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) Jail Road recorded 21.25mm rainfall, airport 5mm, Gulberg 20mm, Lakshmi Chowk 18mm, Upper Mall 23mm, Mughalpura 6mm, Tajpura 6mm, Nishtar Town 22mm, Chowk Nakhuda 6mm, Samanabad 11mm, Johar Town 3mm, and Qartaba Chowk 15mm. The highest rainfall was recorded in the Upper Mall area that received 23mm rain.

The humidity level was recorded at 43 percent, with winds blowing at 18 km/h. After the rain, the temperature in Lahore dropped to 30 degrees Celsius.

According to the Met Office, more thunderstorm and rain are expected in the coming days.

While the rain has made the weather pleasant, it has also caused urban flooding on important roads and areas. Key locations such as the Governor House, Upper Mall and Eden Centre on Jail Road were submerged by rainwater. On Lawrence Road, vehicles were stalled due to the rainwater and traffic was moving slowly on Gulberg Main Boulevard.

Rainwater also accumulated in the Shadman Market area and caused problems on Maulana Shaukat Ali Road where many cars and motorcycles were stuck.

Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Director General Irfan Ali Kathia asked the deputy commissioners across the province to remain alert while relevant departments were advised to stay prepared to deal with any emergency situation.

The provincial control room and all district emergency operation centres have also been alerted with ongoing 24/7 monitoring. Rescue organizations, including 1122, are to keep their machinery and staff on high alert, ensuring prompt drainage from low-lying areas.

Meanwhile, Wasa MD Ghufran Ahmed visited the Supreme Court, Lakshmi Chowk Disposal Station and Monsoon Emergency Camp at Lakshmi Chowk where Director Mian Hamid Lal briefed him on drainage operations.

Commissioner Zaib Bin Maqsood and Lahore Development Authority DG Tahir Farooq accompanied the MD Wasa on a tour across the city, inspecting low-lying areas, main roads and underpasses.

They issued instructions to clear all side ponding points immediately and ensure special arrangements for immediate drainage in low-lying areas. All heavy machinery and equipment are to be checked and kept on standby.

Published in Dawn, June 30th, 2024