LAHORE: Torrential rains drenched Lahore on Thursday as more than 350 millimeters lashed the metropolis in three hours, breaking a 44-year-old record, while a person also lost his life due to electrocution in Nishat Colony.
Heavy rains caused rainwater to enter homes in the Tajpura area, flooding roads and disrupting the early morning commute. In addition, electricity was cut off in several areas.
But the downpour was not confined to Lahore as Karachi, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Sheikhupura, Pakpattan, Kasur, Jehlum and several other cities in the country were lashed by rain and low-lying areas were submerged.
Commenting on the situation in Lahore, Sardar Sarfaraz, chief meteorologist of the Pakistan Meteorological Department, described the rains as “torrential”.
He added that there are heavy rains across Lahore. “Sindh has had more rain than Punjab. But this was expected.”
“The intensity of this spell is expected to decrease but there will be intermittent rain till this evening as there is considerable cloud cover. There will be rain over several parts of the country from August 1 to 6,” he said.
With torrential downpours paralyzing the city, water entered the Services Hospital and Mayo Hospital’s emergency department, causing extreme suffering to patients.
Meanwhile, more than 400 feeders have been knocked down in the city due to rain, Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) officials said.
As soon as the rain stops, work will begin to restore electricity, they added.
According to a National Highway and Motorway Police (NH&MP) spokesperson, intermittent rain continues at most places on the national highways.
The spokesman said rainfall was recorded from the M2 highway up to Pindi Bhattian, Sheikhupura, Kala Shah Kaku and Thokar Niaz Baig, while Manga Mandi, Patuki, Renala Khurd and Okara were also drenched in rainwater.
It also rained heavily on the M3 highway from Faizpur to Nankana Sahib.
Three people lost their lives, including two children and an adult, as a result of the heavy monsoon rain that lashed the metropolis since early morning. Six houses were damaged due to heavy rain.
A boy drowned in rain water near Chongi Amarsadhu near Niazi Chowk in Lahore. The rescue diving team recovered the body of the drowned boy.
Rescue Team 1122 reported that a rescue diver team retrieved the body of the drowned boy and said the victim was already dead when the rescue team found him.
The body was identified as Abdullah, 14 years old. The PDMA has assured that the victims will be compensated.
