Lahore: Torrential rains lashed Lahore on Thursday, setting a new record with more than 350 millimeters of rainfall in just three hours, surpassing a 44-year-old record. The heavy downpour has led to significant flooding, with one fatality reported due to electrocution in Nishat Colony.
Rainwater Floods Homes and Streets: The intense rainfall inundated homes in the Tajpura area, submerged roads, and caused widespread commuting disruptions. Power outages were reported in multiple areas as a result of the downpour.
Nationwide Impact: The rain wasn’t confined to Lahore. Cities including Karachi, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Sheikhupura, Pakpattan, Kasur, and Jehlum also experienced heavy rainfall, leading to flooding in low-lying areas.
Meteorological Insights: Sardar Sarfaraz, the chief meteorologist at the Pakistan Meteorological Department, described the rains in Lahore as “torrential.” He noted that while Sindh experienced more rainfall than Punjab, the heavy rains were anticipated. He added that although the intensity of the rain is expected to decrease, intermittent showers will continue throughout the day, with significant rainfall forecasted for several parts of the country from August 1-6.
Lahore Rainfall Statistics:
| Location | Total Rain (mm) |
|---|---|
| Airport | 357 |
| Head Office Wasa, Gulberg | 210 |
| Lakshmi Chowk | 211 |
| Upper Mall | 215 |
| Mughalpura SDO Office | 202 |
| Tajpura SDO Office | 258 |
| Nishter Town Director Office | 299 |
| Chowk Nakhuda | 247 |
| Pani Wala Talab | 314 |
| Farrukhabad | 275 |
| Gulshan-e-Ravi | 235 |
| Iqbal Town SDO Office | 260 |
| Samnabad SDO Office | 232 |
| Johar Town SDO Office | 270 |
| Qurtaba Chowk | 218 |
Hospitals and Power Supply Affected: The heavy rains have severely impacted Lahore, with water flooding the emergency departments of Services Hospital and Mayo Hospital, causing significant distress for patients. Over 400 power feeders have tripped in the city, and Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) officials stated that power restoration work will commence as soon as the rain stops.
Highway Conditions: The National Highways and Motorway Police (NH&MP) reported intermittent rain on various national highways, including Motorway M2 and M3, affecting areas from Pindi Bhattian to Okara.
Karachi Rainfall: In Karachi, the rain was lighter, with a maximum of 11-12mm recorded. Some areas experienced no rainfall. Sarfaraz mentioned that another spell of rain is expected from August 3 to August 6.
K-Electric’s Response: K-Electric, responsible for supplying power to Karachi, claimed to have maintained an uninterrupted power supply during the moderate to heavy showers. The utility’s staff monitored the situation closely to ensure reliable power distribution. KE also advised citizens to maintain a safe distance from electrical infrastructure and to avoid using electrical appliances with wet hands or feet.
As heavy rains continue to affect various parts of the country, residents are urged to stay safe and take necessary precautions to mitigate the risks associated with flooding and power outages.