At least four people, including a girl, died and seven others were injured in separate incidents of electrocution and roof collapses after heavy monsoon rains hit Lahore, breaking a 44-year record on Thursday.
Lahore, Pakistan, received nearly 360 millimeters of rain, causing floods in hospitals, power outages, and submerged streets. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) reported that today’s rain broke the previous record of 332 millimeters in three hours set in July 1980.
The heavy rain caused several deaths, injuries, and property damage, crippling infrastructure in various parts of the city. A young man was electrocuted near an electricity pole in Nishat Colony, and a 14-year-old boy drowned in rainwater in Kot Lakhpat, according to rescue officials. Another man was electrocuted by an exposed wire in Defence Phase VII.
In Nishtar Colony, a girl was killed, and five others were injured when a roof collapsed. Near Shaukat Khanum Chowk, a wooden roof collapsed, injuring two people.
Rescue workers also reported that seven goats died after being buried under a collapsed wall in Kahna, a suburb of Lahore, following the heavy rain.
Sardar Sarfaraz, the chief meteorologist at the PMD, described the rain in Lahore as “torrential” and noted that heavy rains were expected across the city. He mentioned that while Sindh received more rain than Punjab, the intensity of the rain in Lahore was significant but expected to decrease by evening. Rain is forecasted intermittently until then, with more rain expected from August 1-6 in various parts of the country.
As the heavy rain caused chaos in Lahore, the city’s commissioner declared an emergency and announced the closure of offices and schools for the day. Two government hospitals near the Indian border reported flooding, and there were power outages throughout the afternoon. Flooded roads halted traffic and business activities.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Sharif stated on social media site X that “the entire government machinery is in the field” to drain the water.
The summer monsoon, which provides 70 to 80% of South Asia’s annual rainfall between June and September, is essential for agriculture. However, changing weather patterns due to climate change are putting lives and livelihoods at risk.
