MULTAN, Aug 16 (APP):Water and Power Sanitation Agency (WASA) on Friday sprang into action after a stormy rain broke a 30-year record.
The highest rainfall in three spells was recorded at Kari Jamandan Disposal Station, where 133 mm of rain was recorded, surpassing the previous record of 130 mm in 1994.
As soon as the rain started in the morning, Commissioner Multan Division Maryam Khan, and DG MDA Rana Saleem Ahmed ordered the imposition of a rain emergency in WASA for drainage.
Managing Director WASA Khalid Raza Khan, issued a high alert and called all officers and field staff from the sewerage and disposal station divisions on an emergency basis to begin drainage operations across the city.
During this time, the MD of WASA directed all disposal stations to operate at full capacity and personally monitored the ongoing drainage operation throughout the city. Deputy Commissioner Waseem Hamid Sindhu and DG MDA Rana Saleem Ahmed visited various parts of the city to inspect the drainage arrangements and ordered WASA to speed up the drainage process and utilize all available resources.
They also instructed the concerned sewerage subdivision to prioritize the clearance of rainwater in the low-lying areas using machinery.The MD WASA visited several areas, including Chungi No. 9, Samija Abad, Inner Bypass, Khan Village, and Suraj Miani Disposal Stations, to inspect the working of the disposal stations and the drainage of rainwater from the roads.
He took note of the power outage at the disposal station and instructed the Deputy Director to contact MEPCO officials immediately to restore electricity and to operate the disposal station on a generator.
Director of Works, Arif Abbas, presented a report to the MD WASA regarding the rainfall recorded at the disposal stations during the three spells.
According to the report, the highest rainfall was recorded at Kari Jamandan Disposal Station with 133 mm, followed by Chungi No. 9 Disposal Station with 116 mm, and Old Shujaabad Road Disposal Station with 94 mm. After the second spell of rain, most areas of the city were cleared, while the drainage of the third spell, which began after 5 pm, continued late into the evening.
The MD instructed all sewerage officers to use all resources to promptly drain rainwater from both the roads and low-lying areas.
He also ordered all officers to remain alert in light of further rain forecasts and to promptly address any drainage complaints in their respective areas.
He praised the officers and staff of the sewerage and disposal station divisions for their prompt response in draining the rainwater and ordered them to ensure their presence in the field until the operation was complete.
