Heavy rain turns Lahore streets into pools

LAHORE: Torrential rain that lashed the city early Thursday morning turned many of Lahore’s roads into waterlogged pools, causing severe traffic disruption and stranding vehicles across low-lying areas.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, the city received 178 millimeters of rain, with rainfall continuing uninterrupted for 4 hours and 14 minutes. The highest amount of rainfall was recorded in Nishtar Town, which faced the worst flooding and road closures.

Several cars and motorcycles broke down after being submerged in rainwater, particularly in underpasses and low-lying neighborhoods. Commuters were forced to abandon vehicles, while rescue teams struggled to respond due to widespread water accumulation.

According to the Meteorological Department, there is still light and heavy rains in different parts of Lahore, while light rain is expected in the next 24 hours.

In this regard, Director General (DG) Provincial Disaster Management Authority(PDMA) Irfan Ali directed the deputy commissioners across the province to remain alert and said that the district emergency operation centers of all districts, including the provincial control room, are alerts.

The DG PDMA added that the monsoon rains predicted to continue till July 13, citizens should be careful, stay away from electric poles and hanging wires, raw houses and dilapidated buildings.

On the other hand, Information Minister Punjab Azmi Bukhari said that there has been a continuous rainfall in Lahore for 6 hours. All the teams of the WASA and district administration are present in the field, all underpasses of Lahore are clear, but drainage work is underway in low laying areas.