Lahore Commissioner Nauman Yousaf reviews drainage operations, orders full alert ahead of heavy rain

Lahore Commissioner Nauman Yousaf on Tuesday reviewed rainwater drainage operations across the provincial capital and directed all civic, administrative and traffic management agencies to remain on high alert in view of the forecast of heavy rainfall, ordering all departments to ensure swift drainage of rainwater, keep roads and underpasses clear, and maintain smooth traffic flow across the city

LAHORE, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Jul, 2026) Lahore Commissioner Nauman Yousaf on Tuesday reviewed rainwater drainage operations across the provincial capital and directed all civic, administrative and traffic management agencies to remain on high alert in view of the forecast of heavy rainfall, ordering all departments to ensure swift drainage of rainwater, keep roads and underpasses clear, and maintain smooth traffic flow across the city.

During a visit to major rain-affected and under-construction locations, including Ferozepur Road, Kalma Chowk, Gaddafi Bridge, Garden Town, Barkat Market, LOS, Samanabad Chowk, Chauburji, Qurtaba Chowk, Waris Road, Haji Camp, Railway Station, Lady Willingdon and the Data Darbar area, the commissioner assessed the pace of drainage operations and reviewed field implementation reports.

WASA officials briefed the commissioner that ponding areas across the city were being cleared in the shortest possible time after rainfall. He also reviewed the performance of underground water tank operation centres at Ali Block Garden Town and Waris Road, besides receiving a briefing on the underground drainage system from Haji Camp to Chauburji.

The commissioner directed authorities to ensure the availability of suction machines and adequate manpower according to operational requirements, deploy dedicated teams around under-construction sites and ensure immediate drainage of accumulated rainwater. He also issued on-site instructions to improve drainage operations at Kalma Chowk and Gaddafi Bridge.

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Nauman Yousaf said the operational underground water storage tanks had effectively prevented water accumulation in several vulnerable areas. He added that the underground water tank at Barkat Market was fully functional and the area remained clear despite intermittent rainfall. He noted that WASA and the district administration were maintaining a continuous field response and that the city’s second spell of monsoon rain was nearing its end with most areas remaining clear.

In view of forecasts predicting more heavy rainfall, the commissioner separately instructed all departments responsible for drainage, traffic management and civic services to remain fully alert throughout the working day.

He directed WASA, the Metropolitan Corporation Lahore (MCL) and the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) to keep field teams deployed near low-lying areas and identified hotspots, while assistant commissioners were asked to personally supervise drainage operations in their respective tehsils.

The commissioner further directed all WASA town directors to closely monitor their jurisdictions and ensure uninterrupted operation of disposal station pumps. He ordered that generators be used to keep disposal stations functional in areas affected by power outages, while field teams of CBD Punjab and the Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) were also instructed to remain ready for an immediate response to any rain-related emergency.