Lahore experienced an unprecedented deluge on Thursday, recording 350 millimeters of rainfall in just three hours, breaking a 44-year-old record. The intense monsoon showers led to widespread flooding, power outages, and significant disruption across the city.
Torrential downpour floods city
The heavy rain resulted in severe flooding in key areas of Lahore, including Mall Road, Ferozepur Road, Model Town, Faisal Town, Lakshmi Chowk, and Anarkali. In Tajpura, the floodwaters inundated homes, while the Services Hospital faced significant challenges due to water entering the facility, affecting both patients and staff.
Electricity disruptions and efforts to restore power
The Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) reported that 288 feeders tripped because of the heavy rainfall, leading to extensive power outages across the city. LESCO teams have been working tirelessly to restore electricity, and the company has appealed to consumers for patience during this process.
Record rainfall measurements
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the highest rainfall in Lahore was recorded at Lahore Airport with 337 millimetres. Other significant measurements included Pani Wala Talab with 203 millimetres, Lakshmi Chowk with 191 millimetres, Upper Mall with 182 millimetres, Mughalpura with 173 millimetres, Tajpura with 180 millimetres, Nishtar Town with 227 millimetres, and Chowk Nakhuda with 163 millimetres.
Ongoing monsoon activity
The PMD has indicated that strong monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal are expected to bring more torrential rains to the upper parts of Pakistan from August 1 to 6, with intermittent breaks. This prediction has raised concerns about further flooding and disruptions in the region.
