LAHORE: Heavy rain in various areas of Lahore on Monday caused accumulation of rainwater on major roads, disrupting daily life and again exposing the city’s inadequate drainage system.

The rain, which began around 11:30am in the morning in areas, including Sabzazar, Garhi Shahu, Davies Road, Kot Lakhpat, Township, and Pindi Stop. The downpour also affected Model Town and Quaid-i-Azam Industrial Estate, with more rain expected in the coming hours.

As per the Meteorological Department forecast, the monsoon spell will continue across most districts of Punjab, including Lahore, until September 4. Thunderstorms and rain are also expected today (Tuesday), with intermittent showers predicted from September 3 to 4.

According to Lahore Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa), the highest rainfall in the was 107mm recorded in Nishtar Town, followed by 51mm in Gulshan-i-Ravi, 42mm in Gulberg, 36mm in Tajpura, 31mm in Upper Mall, 27mm in Iqbal Town, and 13mm in Samanabad.

The drainage infrastructure failed to cope with the volume of rainwater in areas where it rained heavily, leading to flooding of several key roads.

The streets of Kacha Jail Road were submerged, causing mobility issues for pedestrians and motorists alike. The heavy rain also impacted businesses along the main road, further exacerbating the situation in the area.

Other major roads, including the Kalma Chowk underpass, Liberty Chowk to the Stadium Road, Noor Jahan Road near Hussain Chowk, Liberty Market, and Tariq Road, saw significant water accumulation, leading to slow traffic.

The situation has raised concerns about the city’s preparedness to handle such weather events, especially in light of the forecast of more rains in the next couple of days.

In Firdous Market area, rainwater accumulation on the roads led to severe traffic jams, resulting in long queues of vehicles.

Residents of various blocks in Model Town, particularly Block A, complained that water drainage had not been ensured, leaving them struggling with stagnant water for hours.

The situation in Ghousia Colony on Ferozepur Road was particularly dire, with sewage entering homes and shops. The rain severely impacted traffic in the area, prompting the residents to demand immediate drainage of rainwater.

Published in Dawn, September 3rd, 2024