CM Maryam orders province-wide high alert as monsoon rains lash Punjab

• Tells commissioners, DCs to remain in field and closely monitor rainfall situation

• WASA machinery to stay operational across districts as CM orders advance steps against urban flooding

• Rainwater drained within hours in major cities following CM’s directives, officials say

 LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Tuesday directed all relevant departments to remain on high alert amid the ongoing monsoon spell, ordering commissioners and deputy commissioners across the province to closely monitor the rainfall situation and ensure prompt drainage of rainwater to minimise public inconvenience and prevent urban flooding.

The chief minister instructed the authorities to ensure the availability of Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) machinery in all districts for the timely disposal of rainwater and ordered advance precautionary measures to avert urban flooding during the continuing spell of monsoon rains.

She further directed district administrations to ensure the immediate drainage of rainwater from both major and minor localities in all cities and expedite the removal of accumulated water to protect citizens from unnecessary hardship and disruption.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said the provincial government was fully aware of the difficulties faced by the public during the monsoon season and would ensure their prompt redressal through an effective administrative response.

She warned that negligence or complacency in rainwater drainage operations would not be tolerated in Lahore or any other district of Punjab, directing all concerned authorities to remain vigilant throughout the ongoing weather spell.

 Rainwater drained within hours across Punjab

Meanwhile, acting on the directives of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, field teams completed rainwater drainage within hours in districts, cities and localities across Punjab following the latest monsoon rains.

The chief minister had directed all district administrations and relevant departments to remain on high alert, while instructing WASA authorities to keep machinery-equipped teams deployed in the field to ensure a swift response. She said rainwater drainage had been completed across the province in record time under her directions.

Drainage operations were carried out promptly in all affected districts, including Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot and Mandi Bahauddin. In Gujranwala, authorities completed the drainage of a record 250 millimetres of rainwater, while major roads in several cities were cleared of accumulated water, restoring traffic flow.

The chief minister said the rainfall situation across Punjab was being continuously monitored through Safe City cameras and directed all commissioners and deputy commissioners to remain present in the field to supervise relief and drainage operations.

In Sialkot, rainwater was removed from Allama Iqbal Road and Kotli Behram, while drainage work on Commissioner Road and Khadim Ali Road was completed, allowing traffic to resume. Roads were also reopened after accumulated rainwater was cleared from Tehsil Bazaar and Railway Road. Dewatering machinery was deployed to complete drainage operations on Ragh Pura Road and Paris Road, restoring normal life in the area.

Expressing satisfaction over the performance of the Sialkot administration, the chief minister said drainage operations had commenced immediately after the rainfall subsided and were completed in the shortest possible time.

“We cannot tolerate even a moment of inconvenience for the public. Prompt drainage in every city is our priority,” she said.

The chief minister added that rainwater had not been allowed to accumulate in low-lying areas across the province and directed the authorities to continue closely monitoring all districts, including Sialkot, to ensure uninterrupted drainage operations throughout the monsoon spell.