Lahore witnessed its heaviest rainfall in 30 years on Friday, creating significant challenges for the city’s infrastructure and residents. Muhammad Ghafran, the Managing Director of the Water and Sanitation Authority (WASA) Lahore, detailed the extent of the downpour and the efforts being made to manage its impact.
Record Rainfall in Lahore
Ghafran highlighted that the heaviest rainfall was recorded in Tajpura, which saw 315 mm of rain. This surpassed the previous record of 291 mm at Lakshmi Chowk last year. The rainfall in various parts of Lahore varied, with significant amounts reported across multiple locations:
- Tajpura: 315 mm
- Lakshmi Chowk: 101 mm
- Mughalpura: 99 mm
- Gulshan Ravi: 98 mm
- Paniwala Talab: 71 mm
- Cordoba Chowk: 70 mm
- Airport Area: 59 mm
- Chowk Nakhuda: 88 mm
- Iqbal Town: 75 mm
- Samanabad: 65 mm
- Upper Mall: 51 mm
- Gulberg: 41 mm
- Nishtar Town: 40 mm
- Jail Road: 38 mm
- Farrukhabad: 35 mm
Drainage Efforts by WASA
In response to the unprecedented rainfall, WASA staff were deployed across the city to manage drainage efforts. Despite their continuous work, the heavy rain caused significant waterlogging in several areas, including Shah Jamal, Lakshmi Chowk, and Davis Road. Ghafran assured the public that WASA, along with provincial officials, were actively monitoring and managing the drainage operations to minimize the impact on residents.
Impact on Key Areas
The intense rainfall led to severe waterlogging and disruption in several key areas of Lahore. Shah Jamal, Lakshmi Chowk, and Davis Road were particularly affected, experiencing significant challenges due to the accumulation of rainwater. The local authorities are working tirelessly to address these issues and restore normalcy.
Weather Forecast
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecasted more rain, including possible thunderstorms and strong winds, for various regions in the next 24 hours. Areas expected to be affected include Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northeast/central Punjab, the Potohar region, Islamabad, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and northeast Balochistan. Specifically, moderate to heavy rain is predicted for Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, and Lahore Divisions.
Detailed Rainfall Statistics
The rainfall statistics for various areas in Lahore highlight the extent of the downpour and the widespread nature of the rainfall:
- Tajpura:
- Recorded the highest rainfall at 315 mm, surpassing last year’s record.
- Lakshmi Chowk:
- Received 101 mm of rain, a significant amount that caused notable disruptions.
- Mughalpura and Gulshan Ravi:
- Experienced 99 mm and 98 mm of rainfall respectively, contributing to the overall challenges in the city.
- Other Areas:
- Paniwala Talab: 71 mm
- Cordoba Chowk: 70 mm
- Airport Area: 59 mm
- Chowk Nakhuda: 88 mm
- Iqbal Town: 75 mm
- Samanabad: 65 mm
- Upper Mall: 51 mm
- Gulberg: 41 mm
- Nishtar Town: 40 mm
- Jail Road: 38 mm
- Farrukhabad: 35 mm
Response and Measures
Ghafran emphasized that WASA is working in coordination with provincial officials to manage the situation. The teams are closely monitoring the drainage operations to ensure that the impact on residents is minimized. Efforts are being made to address waterlogging and restore normalcy in the affected areas.
Future Outlook
With more rain predicted by the PMD, Lahore and other regions are preparing for potential further challenges. The authorities are on high alert, ready to respond to any additional rainfall and its effects. Residents are advised to stay informed about weather updates and take necessary precautions to stay safe.
