LAHORE: The Punjab Local Government Department and the district administration claimed on Tuesday to have completed arrangements to tackle the rains during the monsoon season in Lahore and other districts of the province.

Punjab Minister for Local Government Zeeshan Rafiq chaired a meeting held at the Wasa headquarters. The meeting was attended by Commissioner Zaid bin Maqsood, Deputy Commissioner Ms. Rafia Haider, Wasa Managing Director Ghufran Ahmad and LWMC MD Babar Sahib Din.

The meeting decided that Safe City cameras would be used to monitor monsoon operations in Lahore. The Wasa MD briefed the minister on the monsoon plan.

The meeting also conducted detailed reviews of the arrangements to tackle the rains during the monsoon season in Lahore.

Monsoon plan sent to all chief officers; third-party validation of drains cleaning being conducted

The minister directed that special attention be given to 31 underpasses in Lahore during the rains, emphasising that traffic flow should not be disrupted during the cleaning operations.

He directed that staff from LWMC, Metropolitan Corporation Lahore and LDA be deployed at Wasa relief camps.

The minister warned that no slackness will be tolerated in achieving the targets set by the chief minister.

Mr Rafiq mentioned that the central monsoon control room has been established at the Wasa office, with representatives from the Municipal Corporation Lahore, LDA and LWMC present there.

He stated that officers must remain in the field during rain and until the water is fully drained.

The minister called for a comparison of rainfall and management measures with those of other regional countries.

He stressed that all possible steps would be taken to tackle urban flooding. Noting some deficiencies at certain locations, he strictly instructed that staff must use gloves while performing drainage work.

Mr Rafiq stated that there are 12 disposal and 112 lift stations operated by Wasa in Lahore.

The number of emergency relief camps under Wasa’s management will be increased from the current 22.

He also directed the Metropolitan Corporation Lahore to establish its own emergency camps.

The minister asked the deputy commissioner for detailed monsoon plans at the tehsil level in Lahore and instructed the Wasa MD to personally inspect the drainage arrangements at the underpasses located on the Ring Road.

Commissioner Zaid bin Maqsood informed that arrangements are reviewed in joint meetings after each rain.

He mentioned that the drainage process was completed in most areas of Lahore within half an hour after the rain the previous day.

Wasa MD Ghufran Ahmad reported that 5,900 field staffers work in shifts around the clock.

In anticipation of heavier rains, better arrangements have been made compared to last year, he added.

Earlier, the minister chaired a meeting to review the monsoon preparations in detail at the Civil Secretariat. LG secretary Shakeel Ahmad, special secretary Asiya Gull, LG Board secretary Rizwan Nazir. deputy commissioners and municipal chief officers from across Punjab participated via video link.

The minister directed that the lessons learned from initial rains should be used to make improvements and chief officers and line departments of different districts should develop continuous coordination.

He directed that all available resources should be utilised for drainage and immediate cleaning of drains must be ensured.

He said that deputy commissioners should ensure the establishment of monsoon emergency camps and action would be taken if government directives were not promptly followed.

LG Secretary Mr Ahmad said the monsoon plan was sent to all chief officers and a third-party validation of drain cleaning and other arrangements was being conducted and there would be zero tolerance for any negligence in the drainage of rainwater.

Published in Dawn, July 3rd, 2024