LAHORE: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) flood alert fact sheet on Monday revealed that 84 people were killed, 224 others injured in rain-related building collapse and lightning incidents during the ongoing monsoon season in Punjab.

The PDMA issued a flood alert fact sheet, including data on monsoon rainfall status, water levels in rivers, barrages and dams of Punjab.

The report revealed that 84 people were killed, 224 injured and 245 houses were affected due to monsoon rains during the current year. The deaths occurred due to lightning, electrocution of damaged houses and the collapse of dilapidated buildings. Up to 44 cattle also died due to monsoon rains and 100 houses were completely affected while 145 houses were partially affected.

The monsoon rains were expected in most districts of Punjab in the next 24 hours and flash flooding was expected in Dera Ghazi Khan Multan and Bahawalpur divisions.

In the Indus River, there is a low level at Tarbela, Kalabagh and Chashma, while there is a moderate level of flood at Taunsa. Rivers Chenab, Ravi, Sutlej and Jhelum have normal water flow. The water flow is normal in Dera Ghazi Khan rivers too. Narowal Nala Basantar has a low level flood situation.

PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia said that financial support is being given to the affected families as per the government policy. Providing the best medical care to the injured is being ensured.

He said that all the departments were alerted to take precautionary measures during the rainy season.

Meanwhile, the weather in Lahore turned pleasant after intermittent rain in different areas of the city on Monday.

The maximum rainfall recorded was 55mm at Lakshmi Chowk, with other key locations like Paniwala Talab (53mm), Gulshan-i-Ravi (51mm), Qurtaba Chowk and Upper Mall (50mm), Gulberg (49mm), and several other areas recording significant precipitation.

The heavy rain brought the bustling city to a standstill, with traffic snarls and waterlogged streets becoming a common sight. The worst-hit areas included Shah Jamal, Lakshmi Chowk, Karim Park, Sabzi Mandi in Allama Iqbal Town, Takka Chowk, and Johar Town.

Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) Managing Director Ghufran Ahmed monitored the drainage operations after visiting different areas of the city. The field teams continued swift and effective clearing operations in the affected areas.

Major roads and intersections like Moriya Pul, Qurtaba Chowk, Lytton Road, Chauburji, and Waris Road were cleared of standing water.

Mr Ahmed directed all Wasa directors to ensure that not only the main roads but also the secondary and tertiary roads were cleared promptly.

He emphasized the need to address even the smallest ponding points in every neighborhood, knowing that even minor blockages could wreak havoc in low-lying areas.

Meanwhile, WASA Vice Chairman Chaudhry Shehbaz Ahmed along with Mr Ahmed visited the most affected areas, including Mall Road, the Supreme Court Building, and GPO, to assess the situation on the ground.The heavy rains also caused power outages in several areas of the city, which could have crippled the drainage operations.

Published in Dawn, August 20th, 2024