LAHORE: Torrential rains on Thursday drenched Lahore as the metropolis received 350 millimetres in just three hours, breaking a 44-year-old record.
The heavy downpour led to rainwater entering homes in the Tajpura area, flooding roads, and causing disruptions for commuters early in the morning. Additionally, power outages were reported in multiple areas.
The rain was not limited to Lahore; other cities including Karachi, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Sheikhupura, Pakpattan, Kasur, Jehlum, and several others also experienced rainfall, with low-lying areas becoming submerged.
Sardar Sarfaraz, chief meteorologist at the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), described the rains in Lahore as “torrential,” noting that the city saw heavy rainfall. He mentioned that while there was more rain in Sindh than in Punjab, this was anticipated. Sarfaraz stated that the intensity of the rain was expected to decrease, but intermittent showers would continue until the evening. He added that several parts of the country would experience rain from August 1-6.
The heavy downpour caused severe flooding in Lahore, with water entering the emergency departments of Services Hospital and Mayo Hospital, causing significant distress to patients.
According to a spokesperson for the National Highways and Motorway Police (NH&MP), intermittent rain was reported in several areas along national highways, including Motorway M2 from Pindi Bhattian, Sheikhupura, Kala Shah Kaku, and Thokar Niaz Baig, as well as Manga Mandi, Patuki, Renala Khurd, and Okara. Motorway M3 from Faizpur to Nankana Sahib also experienced heavy rain.
Rainfall in Karachi
In Karachi, the rainfall ranged from light to moderate, with a maximum of 11-12mm. Some areas in the city did not receive any rain. Sarfaraz mentioned that the rain in Karachi was expected to stop the following day, but another spell was anticipated from August 3-6. He noted that heavy rains were expected across the country for the next 10 days.
Areas in Karachi such as Saddar, I.I. Chundrigar, Tariq Road, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Sharea Faisal, Airport Road, Malir Halt, and Malir Cantt experienced intermittent rain. K-Electric, the city’s power supply company, claimed to have maintained an uninterrupted power supply during the moderate to heavy showers. The company urged citizens to keep a safe distance from electrical infrastructure and avoid using appliances, especially water motors, with wet hands or feet.
