Heavy rain in Multan: WASA put on high alert

MULTAN, Apr 03 (APP): The spell of rain that began on Thursday night in Multan continued on Friday, with heavy showers prompting the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) to declare a high alert.

A spokesperson for Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), Hassan Bokhari, said on Friday that Managing Director Faisal Shaukat immediately mobilized all sewage and disposal station divisions. Officers and field staff were summoned on an emergency basis, and a city-wide drainage operation was launched to ensure the prompt removal of rainwater.

He informed that the MD directed all disposal stations to operate at full capacity to facilitate timely drainage from major roads, key intersections, low-lying areas, and residential localities.

Faisal Shaukat, along with Deputy Managing Director Engineering Zeeshan Shaukat Gondal and Director Works Hafiz Muhammad Waqas, visited various disposal stations and different parts of the city to review ongoing operations, machinery performance, and staff deployment, the spokesperson noted. They also inspected major roads and continuously monitored drainage activities to ensure efficiency.

During the visit, the Deputy Director Disposal Stations presented a rainfall report recorded at various locations. According to the report, the highest rainfall of 24 mm was recorded at Kari Jamandan Disposal Station, followed by 13 mm at Old Shujabad Road, 10 mm at Suraj Miani, 7 mm at Chungi No. 9, and 4.4 mm at Khan Village Disposal Station.

The MD instructed all sewerage officers to utilize all available resources to ensure swift drainage from roads and low-lying areas. He also directed that all necessary safety measures be ensured at development project sites underway under the Punjab Development Programme.

In view of further rain forecasts, all concerned officers and staff have been directed to remain on high alert and ensure immediate redressal of drainage-related complaints within their respective jurisdictions. WASA officials have been instructed to remain present in the field until the completion of the drainage operation, he concluded.