Lahore Receives Record Rainfall, Bringing Relief and Concerns
LAHORE: In a remarkable turn of weather, Lahore received a record-breaking 136 millimetres of rainfall in just eight hours, providing much-needed relief from the sweltering summer heat but also raising fresh concerns about urban flooding in various low-lying neighborhoods.
According to the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), different parts of the city experienced varying levels of heavy downpour. Among the areas, Lakshmi Chowk topped the list with a whopping 178 mm of rainfall. Other key areas recorded significant precipitation as well:
- Jail Road: 119 mm
- Airport Area: 60 mm
- Gulberg Head Office: 141 mm
- Upper Mall: 121 mm
- Mughalpura: 127 mm
- Tajpura: 117 mm
- Nishtar Town: 177 mm
- Chowk Nakhauda: 131 mm
- Pani Wala Talab: 167 mm
- Farukhabad: 132 mm
- Gulshan Ravi: 128 mm
- Iqbal Town: 162 mm
- Samanabad: 149 mm
- Johar Town: 133 mm
- Qurtaba Chowk: 139 mm
The heavy downpour turned the city’s weather pleasant and offered a brief respite for residents who have been enduring intense heatwaves for weeks. Many Lahoris flocked to parks and roadside eateries to enjoy the cool breeze and the refreshing rain, but the weather also brought its fair share of challenges.
Urban Flooding Concerns
While the rain was a welcome break from the heat, it also caused waterlogging in several low-lying areas. Streets in parts of Gulberg, Lakshmi Chowk, and Iqbal Town saw standing water, creating traffic jams and difficulties for commuters. WASA and the city administration have deployed drainage teams to clear accumulated rainwater as quickly as possible.
Rescue 1122 and NDMA have been placed on high alert to deal with any urban flooding emergencies. The authorities have urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel during heavy showers and to stay updated on weather advisories.
Rain Extends Beyond Lahore
The rain spell was not limited to Lahore alone. Heavy downpours accompanied by thunder and strong winds were reported in other parts of Punjab, including Sialkot, Gujrat, Chiniot, Kasur, Ferozewala, and Sargodha. Towns like Daska, Narowal, Hafizabad, Safdarabad (Khanqah Dogran), Wazirabad, and Sukhiki, along with surrounding regions such as Pindi Bhattian and Rojhan, also experienced similar weather.
Residents of Narowal and adjoining areas enjoyed the cooler temperatures and cloudy skies, while Wazirabad saw gusty winds alongside the rainfall, signaling a wider weather shift across the region.
Looking Ahead
Meteorologists forecast that intermittent showers are expected to continue over the coming days, which could help further cool down the region but may worsen flooding risks if drainage systems are overwhelmed.
Citizens are advised to keep an eye on updates from the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) and to report blocked drains or overflowing streets to WASA’s helpline.
