CM Buzdar directs immediate draining of rainwater from low-lying areas

LAHORE (92 News) - Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar has directed local administration to immediately drain out rainwater from low-lying areas of Lahore on Friday. The daily routine of the provincial capital has been disturbed after heavy intermittent monsoon rain lashed the parts of Punjab including Lahore. Heavy rain in different areas inundated roads and streets in the city. Taking notice of the situation the Punjab chief minister directed WASA and administrative officers to remain on the ground till draining out of rainwater from low-lying areas of the city. CM Buzdar directed the authorities to utilize all measures to ensure immediate draining out of accumulated rainwater. he also warned the authorities that no negligence would be tolerated in this regard and special arrangements to ensure smooth flow of traffic should also be ensured. Usman Buzdar has also asked the authorities to send report regarding draining out of the rainwater with timeline. Earlier today, heavy intermittent monsoon new spell lashed parts of Punjab and caused heavy loss in the province. According to the reports, heavy rain caused many roof collapses incident in the province as eight people dead and several injured rain-related incidents. More than eight people lost their lives in separate roof collapse incidents as intermittent torrential rain has lashed parts of Punjab including Lahore. The rescue sources informed that three children killed during an roof collapse incident in Pindi Bhattian, while one man dead due to wall collapse incident. On the other hand, 20-year-old Kainat, 17-year-old Mehtab, 10-year-old Aiza and 14-year-old Dareen have died while two people have sustained severe injuries as roof of two houses collapsed in Chakwal due to heavy rainfall in. On women also killed in roof collapse incident in Saidu Sharif, while eight people have been injured in landslide incident. In Chishtian, roof collapse has left two people wounded. Teams have arrived at the incident sites for rescue operation. After being informed rescue teams reached the spot and moved the bodies to hospitals after retrieving them from the debris. According to details, the rainwater has inundated low-lying areas and underpasses in Lahore, badly affecting the flow of traffic. The monsoon spell has also caused electricity breakdown in several parts of the metropolis. According to Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), more rain-thundershowers are expected in Islamabad, upper/central Punjab, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir. Isolated rain-thunderstorm is also expected in southern Punjab and southeastern Sindh. Hot and dry weather is expected in Balochistan.