Amraiz Khan
Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has directed the authorities concerned to take necessary measures for disposal of rainwater from low-lying areas at the earliest.
He said that departments concerned should pro-actively work in this regard, says a handout issued here on Tuesday. “I will not tolerate any negligence,” he said, saying that smooth flow of traffic should be ensured and relevant officers should also remain available in the field.
Early disposal of accumulated water should be ensured and reports be submitted to the CM office, he added. Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar Tuesday visited different areas of Lahore including Shimla Pahari, Bohar Wala Chowk, Mall Road, Montgomery Road, Laxmi Chowk and GPO Chowk in torrential rain and inspected the situation arising after the rain. He also gave lift to women and children stuck in rainwater and dropped them to their place of destination.
During the visit, the Chief Minister inspected the arrangements made for the disposal of water and also inquired the citizens about it, who complained about the accumulation of water on roads. The Chief Minister replied that he has come out to review the problems faced by the people and assured that the administration and WASA officials will complete the disposal of rainwater without any delay.
He also directed the administrative officers and WASA officials to early complete the water disposal by using all available resources. He asked them to personally monitor the process of water disposal and directed that they should remain present in the field till the completion of water disposal.
He further said that traffic police should efficiently perform to keep the traffic moving during rain. He regretted that claimants of transforming the city of Lahore as ‘Paris’ have made no scheme of water disposal for the city. Those who evolved white elephant schemes did not ensure the basic job of water disposal, he added. Problems of the people will be solved soon as I belong to them and the administration has been activated to early solve them, he added.
After visiting different areas of the provincial metropolis, the Chief Minister went to the office of Punjab Safe City Authority and monitored the rain-related situation through CCTV cameras. He issued necessary instructions saying that he has felt the difficulty of the citizens due to torrential rains. Our sorrows and pains are collective and I am standing with the citizens in this difficult situation. Water disposal will be ensured at the earliest, he added. Spokesman to CM Dr. Shahbaz Gill accompanied the Chief Minister during the inspection.
A heavy monsoon rain lashed the provincial capital and its suburban areas on Tuesday, which flooded roads and streets in many parts of the city.
Rain was also reported from other parts of the province including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Gujranwala and Sargodha. Incessant rain restricted the citizens to their homes in the metropolis while in several areas rainwater entered houses.
According to Met office, rain-thundershower/ windstorm with isolated heavy falls is expected at scattered places of Hazara, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Lahore divisions, Islamabad and Kashmir, while at isolated places in Malakand, Peshawar, Kohat, Mardan, Bannu, Zhob and Sahiwal divisions. Hot and humid weather is expected elsewhere in the country.
