Rains keep civic services on the toes

Air quality in metropolis improves amid frequent downpours

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LAHORE:

A fresh spell of monsoon rain swept across Lahore and several other districts of Punjab on Saturday, bringing cooler weather, reducing humidity and improving air quality for some time.

However, the heavy rain also caused waterlogging and traffic jams, putting emergency services and hospitals on high alert to deal with related problems.

Rain with thunderstorms was recorded in Lahore, Narowal. Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Gujrat, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Rawalpindi and Chakwal. Several other districts also received moderate to heavy rainfall.

Rainwater pooled in hospitals and on nearby roads in Lahore.

Job aspirants also faced problems as Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) examinations continued in various districts despite the rain.

Many people found it difficult to reach their workplaces, including health workers and hospital employees.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast that the current weather system will remain active over the coming days with more rain expected in many parts of the province.

A large number of citizens visited parks and other public places to enjoy the pleasant weather.

A spokesperson said all district hospitals had been advised to prepare for the rainy season and they were providing the best treatment facilities.

However the rain also created civic problems as water accumulated on roads and in many low-lying areas.

The traffic flow on major roads remained slow as several underpasses and residential areas were flooded, forcing commuters to use other routes.

Officials said field staff remained deployed across the city to clear blocked sewer lines as quickly as possible.

District authorities also advised people to avoid unnecessary travel through flooded roads until the water level receded.

Similar conditions were reported in other cities where heavy rain disrupted business activities and affected traffic.

Hospital emergency departments in Lahore remained on alert to treat victims of injuries caused by road accidents, slipping on wet roads and shocks caused by exposed electric wires.

Doctors said hospitals were also preparing for an increase in seasonal diseases that usually appeared after heavy rain, including viral fever, diarrhoea, gastroenteritis and mosquito-borne ailments.

Medical experts advised people to drink boiled or filtered water, avoid stagnant water and seek immediate care if they develop dehydration or persistent fever.

They warned that standing rainwater could become a breeding place for mosquitoes if drainage was delayed. They stressed that proper sanitation during and after the monsoon season was essential to reduce the risk of dengue fever.

Environmental experts described the rainfall as a natural way of cleaning polluted air.

"The showers significantly reduced dust particles and suspended pollutants that had accumulated during the recent dry weather. Real-time air quality monitoring indicated that Lahore's Air Quality Index (AQI) improved to the moderate category with readings generally ranging between 100 and 120 on Saturday," said an official, Sajid Bashir. This was a significant improvement compared with the high pollution levels usually seen during long dry periods.