44-year rainfall record breaks in Lahore; schools offices closed

Lesco's feeders also tripped due to the continuous rain. Offices and schools were closed to prevent damage caused by the heavy rainfall.

According to the data, the 300 mm of rain at the airport broke all previous records. More than 200 mm of rain was recorded in most city areas. Nishtar Town recorded 250 mm, Paniwala Talab 226 mm, Johar Town 220 mm, Tajpura 220 mm, and Cordoba Chowk 218 mm.

According to WASA, Farrukhabad recorded 215 mm, Gulshan Ravi 210 mm, Iqbal Town 205 mm, Samanabad 203 mm, and Lakshmi Chowk 199 mm of rain.

This is the second heavy rainfall of this monsoon season, with more than 300 mm being recorded. Tajpura had previously recorded 315 mm.

In response, Commissioner Lahore has declared a rain emergency and announced holidays for offices and schools to prevent damage. Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz has ordered the early drainage of water in Lahore and other affected cities. An alert has been issued to the relevant departments, and administrative officers and workers have been instructed to stay in the field.

Causalities in Lahore due to heavy rain

Three people lost their lives including two kids and an adult in the wake of a heavy monsoon rain spell that lashed the metropolis since the early morning. Six houses were damaged due to heavy rain spells.

A boy drowned in rainwater near Chongi Amarsadhu near Niazi Chowk in Lahore. The rescue diving team recovered the body of the drowned boy.

Rescue 1122 said the rescue diving team took out the body of the drowned boy and stated the victim was already dead when the rescue team found him.

The body was identified as Abdullah, age 14. PDMA assured that victims will be compensated.

Travel advisory for Lahoriities

The Lahore administration has advised residents to stay indoors, secure their homes, and avoid unnecessary travel amid the record rainfall.

Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz tasks bureaucracy to clear rainwater 

Punjab Chief Minister said: "Despite the heaviest rainfall in 45 years, roads and streets are being cleared in unprecedented time. The entire government machinery is in the field. I have directed them to employ all resources and drain the water in the next few hours."

Traders claim massive loss as godowns filled with rainwater  

Due to the heavy rain in Lahore, the road traders expressed their anger because of the water entering the warehouses as raw materials worth millions of rupees wasted due to rainwater entered warehouses and shops on Nasbat Road.

Local traders said that furniture, chipboard and paper warehouses were affected by the accumulation of rainwater.

“Goods worth lakhs of rupees damaged due to rainwater,” local traders.

“The loss could have been avoided if the administration had taken appropriate measures,” local traders said.

Lahore’s vegetable and fruits market

After the heavy rains in Lahore, the fruits and vegetable market of the Lahore turned into ‘river’ wherein vegetables and fruits wasted were spoiled due to accumulation of several feet of rainwater.

The middle men and vendors complaint that the condition of the vegetable market has not changed in the past 30 years.

Sacks of vegetables and fruits were submerged in dirty water. The rain water also inundated on all sides of Jamia Masjid of Sabzi Mandi.

Flight operation disrupted at Lahore airport

A few flights have been delayed at the Allama Iqbal International Airport amid the record rainfall.

Pakistan International Airline (PIA) PK-229 to Muscat has been delayed while Air Blue flight PA-401 from Lahore to Karachi has also been delayed.

Rainfall record in mm

It has been raining intermittently since 5:00 am in Lahore.

Lahore Water and Samitation Agency (Wasa) said the highest rainfall was 350 mm on Airport Road followed by Nishtar Town 282 mm, Pani Wala Talab 226, Iqbal Town 232 mm, Johar Town 222 mm, Farrukhabad 215 mm, Mughalpura 202 mm, Lakshmi Chowk 205, Chowk Nakhuda 217 and Gulshan Ravi 210 mm of rain.

288 feeders of Lesco tripped

The rain has affected the electricity transmission system in Lahore as 288 feeders of LESCO have been tripped. Many areas are deprived of electricity due to tripped feeders and technical failure including Shahdara, Shafiqabad, Kasurpura, Gulshan Ravi, Sanda, Mozang, Shadman, GOR, Lawrence Road areas.

Samanabad, Iqbal Town, Johar Town, Township, Green Town, Kot Lakhpat are also affected.

Lahoriites face trouble due to power outage

The Chief Executive Officer of Lesco issued a high alert in all circles and divisions to ensure the power supply.

Traffic chaos in Lahore, administration exposed

A heavy spell of Monsoon rain that continued since 5 am in Lahore has badly affected traffic management in the city due to the inundation of major highways.

Long queues of vehicles were spotted on Barkat Market Road leading to the heart of the city centre Gulberg. 

Commuters are facing serious problems as vehicles and motorcycles are blocked due to the inundation of roads especially in Gulberg.

Two people have died and eight have been injured. The main highway from Barakat Market towards Kalma Chowk has completely drowned exposing the Lahore civil administration's tall claims of ensuring pre-monsoon arrangements to avoid water inundation.

Pedestrians and motorcycles became vulnerable due to traffic mess as large-sized vehicles are even facing difficulties in reaching their destinations.

Residents of adjacent streets, offices, and traders of the Barakat market were affected by the accumulation of 3 feet of rainwater.

Lahore Traffic Police deployed wardens to provide alternative routes to citizens. Two traffic wardens at Kalma Chowk Underpass prevented and advised the traffic for alternative routes.

A girl died while 6 people were injured in Gajjumata roof collapse. One person was electrocuted in Nishat Colony.

Lahore civil administration advised citizens to avoid unnecessary travel throughout the day.

Safe Cities Cameras 

Punjab Safe Cities Authorities said safe city cameras installed at various city points identify water-logged areas. The spokesperson of the PSCA said all information has been informed to the WASA head office.  

Hospitals situation in record rain

General Hospital and Services Hospital lawns turned into ponds creating problems for the patients attendees.

Walled City situation after record rain

In Lahore, the early morning rain has turned the Walled City of Lahore Bhatti gate into the pond as traffic has been completely suspended.

The local kids played and enjoyed in the rain water defying the misery of water logging in the area.

Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar visits Services Hospital

Punjab Secretary Chief Zahid Akhtar Zaman's visited to Services Hospital and ordered to drain of rainwater from the Services Hospital as soon as possible.

The chief top bureaucrat inspected various wards including emergency and reviewed the drainage work. Chief Secretary's instruction to WASA to install more pumps for drainage of rainwater at earliest.

Punjab IG instructs policemen to stay on duty

Punjab IGP Dr Usman Anwar directed the police force to fully participate in relief activities. Police officers and officials should be more diligent and perform their duties in rain-affected areas.

“Supervisory police officers should monitor the relief activities in the rain-affected areas themselves.  Punjab Police is in constant contact with the relevant agencies regarding rescue and relief activities,” he added.

Punjab top cop directed officers to review the rescue and relief activities and remain in the field.

PDMA monsoon alert; spell to continue till Aug 4

Commenting on the dams and river situation after rainfall, Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Irfan Ali said: “The water flow in all the rivers and barrages of Punjab is at a normal level.”  

The water level in Mangala Dam is 60 percent while Tarbela is 77 percent.

The water level in Indian dams on Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi is up to 39 percent.

PDMA DG claimed arrangements are complete given the flood risk in vulnerable districts.

“From August 1 to 4, there is a risk of flooding in the Indus River adjoining mountains and the River Chenab,” PDMA director general said.

PDMA Control Room and District Emergency Operation Centers are monitoring the situation around the clock. In the last 12 hours, 3 civilians were killed.

Citywise rainfall record

As per PDMA, 337 mm of rain was recorded in Lahore, 123 mm was recorded in Gujranwala, and 70 mm was recorded in Narowal in 24 hours. Kasur 62 mm, Hafizabad 23 mm while Sialkot recorded 11 mm of rain recorded.

He said the new spell of monsoon rains will continue till August 6.