WASA, district administration placed on high alert

LAHORE, Jul 20 (APP): Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ali Ejaz on Monday activated the district’s rain emergency protocol following heavy rainfall and directed all relevant departments to remain on high alert to ensure public safety and the uninterrupted drainage of rainwater across the city.

He instructed the district administration and the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) to maintain a strong field presence, while directing all assistant commissioners to personally supervise dewatering operations in their respective jurisdictions, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas.

Under the emergency plan, WASA teams were mobilized across the city, with all disposal stations, suction machines and dewatering equipment made fully operational to expedite the clearance of accumulated rainwater. Monitoring teams were also deployed to continuously monitor water levels in rivers, canals and stormwater drains to avert any potential emergency.

The DC directed WASA to ensure the complete drainage of rainwater from all vulnerable localities without delay, warning that any negligence or laxity in the operation would not be tolerated. He further instructed Rescue 1122 personnel, relief teams and heavy machinery to remain on standby at strategic locations across the city to ensure an immediate response to any rain-related emergency.

DC Muhammad Ali Ejaz also urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel during heavy rainfall and advised them to stay away from electricity poles, hanging or broken power lines and other potential hazards to prevent accidents. He said that minimizing inconvenience to the public during the ongoing rain spell remained the district administration’s foremost priority, adding that all departments were working in close coordination to ensure the swift drainage of rainwater and the restoration of normal traffic flow and civic life.