Lahore gears up for heatwave

The job of Commissioner Lahore is not a bed of roses. It is a very demanding job, to fulfill many potent administrative responsibilities from its occupier. Commissioner office Lahore has to perform various administrative duties everyday, for the smooth functioning of the matters; related to administration. The commissioner of Lahore reviews all these arrangements, which are required to run a division in systematic discipline.

The functioning and stability of a division depends upon the decisions of the Commissioner. Being a Commissioner of administrative division like Lahore is not easy. Every day has a new challenge. Emergency situations are also often countered. In the state any predicament, it is inevitable that the person in charge of the proceedings should competent enough to handle any catastrophic situation. While commissioner office has to regulate, and ensure well being of it’s citizens; such as, safety, security, water supply, cleanliness etc through a well ordered administration, it has to pitch many ideas in motion to tackle sudden catasptrope or natural clamities.

Through a carefully and systematic administrative approach any catastrophic situation can be tackled. Today, Lahore is again facing a different kind of peril in form of a natural disaster known as the heatwave, the effects of which, are proving to be very detrimental.

The Commissioner Lahore, Captain (R) Muhammad Usman Younis, is serving as the 59th Commissioner of the Lahore division. It is worth mentioning, that he has previously served as Secretary Primary Health, DG Punjab food authority and DC Lahore.

This week, Bol News spoke exclusively to the Commissioner Lahore Captain (R) Muhammad Usman Younis, to find out what steps and strategy has been setup by the Commissioner’s Office to save the people of Lahore from the heatwave.

The Commissioner shed light on the intensity of the issue and said that the heat wave in Lahore is creating a major health crisis. Numerous cases of acute kidney injury (AKI) caused by heatstroke, acute water diarrhea and gastroenteritis have been reported. Dozens of people, especially traffic wardens in Lahore, fainted due to dehydration over long exposure to sunlight in the intense heat, and they were shifted to different hospitals.

When asked about what efforts were being put in motion by the Lahore administration, to deal with this issue, the Commissioner said, that “we have decided to distribute umbrellas and awareness pamphlets amongst the residents of Lahore. This is to prevent them from permanent disability and death due to heatstroke. Moreover, during heat-waves, daily announcements will contain information on the daily temperatures, the consequences for the population’s health of the same, the activities undertaken, and recommendations for the public”.

Maintaining this, the  Commissioner added, “I have even instructed departments which include Punjab Food Authority, Primary & Secondary Health Department, and Public Engg. Department to immediately start taking measures for this heatstroke issue; moreover administration is also running an awareness campaign through print and social media, I’m directly monitoring all these as well”.

While urging the citizens to adopt  precautionary measures, the Commissioner Lahore Division said every individual is important to him and he has categorised them into two  clusters. “There are people (individuals) at risk (the general population), and the voluntary caretakers (staff) deputed for them. My recommendations are to stay in the shade, drink water frequently, cover head and face with cloth while going out in the sun and avoid going out during day time.”

Sharing details about the facilities provided by the administration to the students, outside educational institutions, early summer vacations were announcement. Commissioner Lahore further added that, as this is an exam month and upcoming will be the same, he has instructed to renovate, all bus stands and he is working to add fans as well, which will operate on solar energy. Moreover, public transport in Lahore is fully air-conditioned, as well. In addition to this, he added, that soon he intends to call a meeting with all the universities and colleges to discuss, precautionary measures on heatstroke for students. Regarding the possibility of early summer vacations, he said that the governmentt is taking possible measure for summer holidays announcement, as well. Probably from 1st June.

While developing a strategy to avoid water shortage in the city. To prevent water wastage, the commissioner explained that in order to prevent water shortage, they should get tubewell operational in minimum possible time, secure the supply of water through water tankers, ensure diversion of water towards water shortage areas through valve regulation and increase the timings of adjacent tubewells.

Operation of booster pumps

Commissioner Lahore further stated that he has instructed WASA to increase the operational time of water pumps, to avoid water shortage, to prevent water wastage, recycling units have been added to the required spaces e.g. car wash, petrol pumps, cloth washing units etc. Water challan (Violation tickets) upon wasting water from 2000 to 10,000PKR are also issued.

Commissioner Lahore also urged that the people should not move from their homes unnecessarily. There are some measures through which labor class can save themselves from heat through taking time to cool down. He reiteteated the importance of rest in shaded areas. The Commissioner further suggested, that during periods of elevated temperatures, they should wear light-colored, lightweight, loose-fitting cotton clothing that allows ventilation of air to the body.

When feasible, departments can schedule routine maintenance and repair work, which exposes employees to heat-stressed conditions, until cooler periods of the day or cooler seasons. Limit sun exposure during mid-day hours. Shaded areas can be provided during remote outdoor work (constructing temporary shelters using tarps).

Emphasizing on the important aspect of plantation; Commissioner Lahore stated, the trees store more carbon in them. Nature-Based Solutions that help mitigate climate change. As trees grow, they help stop climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the air, storing carbon in the trees and soil, and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere. It will help us to combat heat stroke.

Talking about the  facilities and number of heatwave camps that have been set up by the district administration, the commissionersaid , that the District administration of Lahore has established 62 heatwave centers; across Lahore to provide immediate medical care to the masses. Adding to this, Commissioner Lahore further said, 26 points have been established for clean drinking water, and 526 tube wells are all giving water taps.  Camps will urge the citizens to use water and beverages intermittently to cover their heads and necks if necessary. The masses should wear loose-fitting and light-colored cotton clothing and not sit in closed vehicles parked in the sun. The cold water and soft drinks will be available by social organizations for heat- stricken people at the camps. He claimed.

Sharing the helpline number with Bol News that can be used in state of emergency Commissioner Lahore stated that, he has established a Command and Control 1716 helpline for ease of people and tope up with the emergency.