44-year record broken as over 350mm rainfall lashes Lahore
“This was expected,” PMD chief meteorologist says.
Sardar Sarfaraz says rains expected for next 10 days.
KE claims uninterrupted power supply amid heavy rainfall.
Torrential rains on Thursday drenched Lahore as the metropolis received more than 350 millimetres in three hours, breaking a 44-year-old record, with a person also losing their life due to electrocution in Nishat Colony.
Heavy rains have caused rainwater to enter homes in the Tajpura area, inundated roads, and disrupted commuting early in the morning. Additionally, electricity has been suspended in multiple areas.
But the downpour wasn’t restricted to Lahore as Karachi, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Sheikhupura, Pakpattan, Kasur, Jehlum, and several other cities of the country received rain, with low-lying areas submerged.
Commenting on the situation in Lahore, Sardar Sarfaraz, chief meteorologist at the Pakistan Meteorological Department, termed the rains “torrential”.
Sr Main points in Lahore Total rain (mm)
1 Airport 357
2 Head Office Wasa, Gulberg 210
3 Lakshmi Chowk 211
4 Upper Mall 215
5 Mughalpura SDO Office 202
6 Tajpura SDO Office 258
7 Nishter Town Director Office 299
8 Chowk Nakhuda 247
9 Pani Wala Talab 314
10 Farrukhabad 275
11 Gulshan-e-Ravi 235
12 Iqbal Town SDO Office 260
13 Samnabad SDO Office 232
14 Johar Town SDO Office 270
15 Qurtaba Chowk 218
He added that there are heavy rains across Lahore. “There were more rains in Sindh compared to Punjab. But this was expected.”
“This spell is expected to see a fall in its intensity, but it will keep raining intermittently till today evening as there’s a substantial cloud mass. From August 1-6 several parts of the country will see rain,” he said.
With heavy downpours paralysing the city, water entered Services Hospital and Mayo Hospital’s emergency department, causing extreme distress to the patients.
Meanwhile, more than 400 feeders have tripped due to rain in the city, Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) officials said.
As soon as the rain stops, the power restoration work will start, they added.
According to the National Highways and Motorway Police (NH&MP) spokesperson, intermittent rain is continuing at most places on the national highways.
The spokesperson told Geo News that rainfall was recorded from Motorway M2 till Pindi Bhattian, Sheikhupura, Kala Shah Kaku and Thokar Niaz Baig, while Manga Mandi, Patuki, Renala Khurd and Okara were also drenched in rainwater.
Meanwhile, Motorway M3 from Faizpur to Nankana Sahib also received heavy rain.
Rainfall in Karachi
Sarfaraz said that in Karachi, it rained to a maximum of 11-12mm — light to moderate. “However, there are some areas in Karachi where there was no downpour.”
The chief meteorologist said that it is expected that rain would halt tomorrow. However, he said, from August 3, there’s another spell expected, which will continue till August 6.
“Across the country, for the next 10 days, we expect heavy rains,” he added.
Saddar, I.I. Chundrigar, Tariq Road, Gulsitan-e-Jauhar, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Sharea Faisal, Airport Road, Malir Halt, and Malir Cantt have been receiving rain intermittently.
On the other hand, K-Electric (KE) — the power supply company providing electricity to Karachi — claimed to have ensured uninterrupted power supply to the city during a spell of moderate to heavy showers.
The utility’s staff monitored the situation and maintained reliable supply of power, a statement released by the company mentioned.
KE has urged citizens to maintain safe distance from all electrical infrastructure, especially outdoors.
“Avoid using appliances, especially water motors, with wet hands or feet,” the company’s advisory read.