LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed all relevant departments to remain on high alert as the third spell of monsoon rains continues across the province, ordering comprehensive preparedness measures to deal with potential emergencies.
The chief minister instructed commissioners, deputy commissioners and field officers across Punjab to remain vigilant, stressing that there is no room for negligence or irresponsibility. She directed all departments to ensure advance arrangements in line with alerts issued by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).
Maryam Nawaz ordered all concerned agencies to ensure the immediate drainage of rainwater and directed continuous supervision and effective monitoring of WASA operations. She also instructed the PDMA Control Room and District Emergency Operation Centres to remain fully operational, while Rescue 1122, WASA and other emergency services were told to keep their personnel and machinery on standby.
She further directed authorities to expedite the drainage of water from low-lying areas, clear water accumulated at choking points and maintain continuous monitoring of rain drains and stormwater channels. The chief minister also ordered that all manholes in urban and rural areas remain properly covered, safety measures be enforced at construction sites during rainfall and structurally vulnerable buildings be closely monitored.
Maryam Nawaz emphasized that all precautionary measures must be implemented during the ongoing rains, with special efforts to prevent water accumulation in urban areas and ensure smooth traffic flow on major roads and highways. She also directed all relevant institutions to remain fully active to protect lives and property and urged parents to keep children away from rivers and canals.
Appealing to the public to exercise caution during severe weather, the chief minister advised citizens not to stay in weak, poorly constructed or mud-built houses.
According to the latest PDMA alert, Lahore, Gujranwala, Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan face the risk of urban flooding. Rainfall was recorded in most districts of Punjab during the past 24 hours.
The PDMA reported 105 millimetres of rain in Sargodha, 77 millimetres in Hafizabad, 73 millimetres in Okara, 63 millimetres in Bahawalnagar and 61 millimetres in Sahiwal. The authority added that Lahore has received a cumulative 400 millimetres of rainfall, with heavy showers continuing in the city for the fifth consecutive day.
