LAHORE: The Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Saturday issued a high alert as heavy rain is expected in most districts of Punjab, including Lahore, in the next 24 hours.

The current monsoon spell, predicted to last until Aug 12, has already brought significant rainfall to the region with Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad and Sahiwal all receiving light to moderate rain.

Lahore received moderate rain and the highest rainfall was recorded in Farrukhabad, which received 80mm rain.

The ongoing monsoon rains are contributing to a rising water level in rivers, dams and nullahs across Punjab. Mangla Dam is currently at its 65pc capacity while Tarbela Dam’s level has reached 90pc of its capacity. An increase in water levels has also been observed in the Indian dams, further exacerbating the flood risk.

Moderate rain reported in Lahore, Faisalabad, Sahiwal

A medium-level flood situation has been reported in the Indus River at Taunsa, raising concerns among the local authorities.

At Kot Addu, the protective embankment was secured against the river erosion by the district administration and the irrigation department.

While taking the proactive measures, the PDMA launched the evacuation of residents from potential flood zones. Approximately 1,800 people living in 280 households in Basti Khulang, Basti Lashari and Basti Chandia were relocated to safer areas.

To address the emergency, the PDMA Punjab has dispatched over 100 tents to the affected areas for temporary shelter of the displace persons.

The provincial control room and district emergency operation centres have been placed on high alert, with 24/7 monitoring of the situation. Rescue services are on standby with machinery and staff ready to respond to any incidents.

There is a threat of urban flooding in major cities across Punjab too.

In a statement, PDMA DG Irfan Ali Kathia emphasized the importance of timely action and inter-departmental coordination in handling the threat. He said all the departments concerned had been instructed to remain vigilant and prepared for any emergency.

According to the Lahore Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa), Jail Road received 42mm on Saturday, Airport 23mm, Gulberg 12mm, Lakshmi Chowk 56mm, Upper Mall 17mm, Mughalpura 4mm, Chowk Nakhuda 21mm, Paniwala Talab 55mm, Gulshan Ravi 13mm, Iqbal Town 2mm, Samanabad 14mm and Qurtaba Chowk 52mm.

Wasa Vice Chairman Chaudhry Shehbaz Ahmad and Managing Director Ghufran Ahmad claimed to have visited different areas of the city to mitigate the impact of the heavy downpours.

Stressing the importance of utilising all available resources, they emphasized that particular attention should be given to low-lying areas prone to water accumulation.

Shehbaz Ahmad said all available resources should be utilised for drainage in low-lying areas.

The Wasa MD also visited Lakshmi Chowk, Mauj Darya Road, Mozang Adda, Lytton Road, Mall Road, Lawrence Road and Qurtaba Chowk to monitor the situation.

“Heavy machinery is being utilised for the drainage operation,” said Ghaffaran Ahmad, adding that most areas had already been cleared of the rainwater and the remaining parts of the city would be cleared as soon as possible.

Published in Dawn, August 11th, 2024