Minister stresses solid steps to tackle urban flooding

LAHORE:Monsoon operations will be monitored through Safe City cameras. It was decided in a meeting held at the Wasa headquarters under the chair of Minister for Local Government Zeeshan Rafiq.

The meeting was attended by Commissioner Zaid bin Maqsood, Deputy Commissioner Rafia Haider, Wasa Managing Director Ghufran Ahmad and LWMC Managing Director Babar Sahib Deen.

During the meeting, detailed reviews of the arrangements to tackle the rains during the monsoon were conducted. Wasa MD Ghufran Ahmad briefed the minister on the monsoon plan. The minister directed that special attention be given to 31 underpasses in City during the rains, emphasising that traffic flow should not be disrupted during the cleaning operations. He directed that staff from LWMC, MCL and LDA be deployed at Wasa relief camps. All the line departments were urged to work cohesively to ensure maximum facilitation for the general public, in line with the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. The CM has instructed that the same dedication, shown during Eidul Azha cleanup efforts, be applied during the monsoon season, the minister said.

He warned that no slackness would be tolerated in achieving the targets set by the chief minister. Zeeshan Rafiq mentioned that the central monsoon control room was 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.

Zeeshan 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 MCL 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 were reviewed in joint meetings after rain. He mentioned that the drainage process was completed in most areas of City within half an hour after the rain the previous day. Wasa MD Ghufran Ahmad reported that 5,900 field workers work in shifts around the clock.