Lahore and other Punjab cities again pummelled by heavy rain

Persistent heavy rain that lashed Lahore and other parts of Punjab on Saturday morning, flooded roads and turned low-lying areas into pools of water, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Besides the provincial capital, rain was also reported from Gujranwala, Kamonki, Nankana Sahib, Bahawalnagar, Kasur, Pattoki, Sheikhupura, Mandi Bahauddin, Mianwali, Muridke, Sahiwal, Sangla Hill, Safdarabad, Okara, Gujranwala, Narowal, Pasrur and other areas.  

Areas such as Mughalpura, Mustafaabad, Neela Gumbad, Lakshmi Chowk, Queen’s Road, Samanabad, Shadbagh, Jallo Park, Mehmood Booty, Garhi Shahu, Qila Gujjar Singh, Shahdara, Kahna, Johar Town, Gulberg, Gulshan Ravi and others turned into pools of water. 

Power supply to different areas was also suspended as over 110 feeders of the LESCO tripped following the rain.

Youth dies due to electrocution

A youth died due to electrocution during rain in Lahore.

According to Rescue 1122 officials, 16-year-old Nadeem was passing through accumulated rainwater when an electric cable snapped and fell into the water near Akbari Mandi Grid Station.

Police have taken the body into custody and launched in investigation.

Water drips from metro bus stations’ roofs

The downpour laid bare the metro bus administration’s claims of efficiency as water started leaking from the roofs of waiting areas built for commuters.

Several metro stations, including that of MAO College, were flooded due to heavy rain.

Gulshan Ravi locality of Lahore received the highest amount of rain totaling 177 millimeters followed by Qurtaba Chowk 156 millimeters, Lakshmi Chowk 132 millimeters, WASA’s head office in Gulberg 115 millimeters, Pani Wala Talab 101 millimeters, Tajpura 93 millimeters, Nishtar Town 92 millimeters, Iqbal Town and Johar Town 85 millimeters each, Mughalpura 67 millimeters, Upper Mall 63 millimeters while Lahore airport received 59 millimeters of rain.

The weather department said that minimum temperature in the city was recorded at 23 degrees Celsius which would touch 31 degrees Celsius later in the day.

The air quality index (AQI) in the city was recorded at 56.

More rain forecast for Punjab cities

The Met Office, on the other hand, forecast more showers for Lahore and other parts of Punjab during the next 48 hours.

CM Naqvi gives instructions to concerned officials

In view of the situation, arising out of torrential rain in Lahore, Punjab Chief Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi ordered the concerned departments, especially Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) and Rescue 1122, to remain on a high alert.

He directed the administration to ensure immediate drainage of water from low-lying areas of the provincial capital. “Please form special teams for the purpose,” he ordered.

The chief minister asked administrations of other cities as well to take steps on a war footing on account of heavy rain.

Reporters: Durre Nayab, Komal Aslam