Heavy Rain Batters Lahore as Authorities Launch Emergency Drainage Operations
By Sardar Burhan :
Heavy rainfall swept across several parts of Lahore on Saturday, inundating roads, disrupting traffic and prompting emergency response efforts as civic authorities moved to clear accumulated water from low-lying areas.
According to data released by the Water and Sanitation Agency, the highest rainfall was recorded in Nishtar Town, where 48.5 millimetres of rain fell during the spell.
Several other areas of the provincial capital also received significant rainfall. The airport area recorded 40 millimetres, Johar Town 37.5 millimetres, Lakshmi Chowk and Mughalpura 30.5 millimetres each, while Upper Mall received 29 millimetres. Rainfall was also reported in Gulberg, Jail Road, Tajpura, Iqbal Town, Samanabad, Gulshan-i-Ravi and a number of other localities across the city.
The downpour brought relief from the intense heat that has gripped Punjab in recent weeks but also caused urban flooding in some neighbourhoods and affected the flow of traffic on major roads and intersections.
Emergency services reported at least one weather-related incident during the rain. According to Rescue 1122, two people were injured when a wall collapsed onto a rickshaw in Wapda Town. One of the injured was shifted to hospital for medical treatment.
The latest rainfall comes amid forecasts by the Pakistan Meteorological Department, which predicted rain, windstorms and thunderstorms in parts of Punjab, Azad Kashmir and the Potohar region. The department also warned of the possibility of isolated heavy rainfall and hailstorms.
Weather officials had earlier forecast above-normal temperatures across Punjab during the final week of May, raising concerns about heat-related health risks before the arrival of pre-monsoon weather systems.
In response to the changing weather conditions, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed all relevant departments to remain on high alert and ensure rapid drainage of rainwater from roads, underpasses and residential areas.
The chief minister instructed authorities to closely monitor stormwater drains and drainage channels and ensure that water does not accumulate in urban centres. She also ordered district administrations to remain vigilant regarding vulnerable and dilapidated buildings, warning of potential roof and wall collapses during heavy rainfall.
Provincial authorities were further directed to maintain smooth traffic flow on major highways and roads while ensuring public safety through coordinated action between civic agencies and traffic management teams.
Meanwhile, WASA Managing Director Ghufran Ahmed visited several parts of Lahore, including Qurtaba Chowk, Kalma Chowk Underpass, Liberty Chowk, Main Boulevard Gulberg and areas around Gaddafi Stadium, to oversee drainage operations.
Officials said all disposal stations were operating at full capacity to remove accumulated rainwater and restore normal traffic movement. Field teams were deployed across the city to clear water from roads, underpasses and other vulnerable locations.
Lahore Deputy Commissioner Captain (Retired) Muhammad Ali Ijaz also reviewed drainage efforts and was informed that water had largely been cleared from key commercial and traffic corridors, while operations continued in remaining affected areas.
Authorities said complaints from residents were being addressed on a priority basis and that all available resources had been mobilised to minimise disruption.
The latest spell of rain follows severe weather earlier this month when heavy rain and hailstorms struck Lahore, flooding low-lying neighbourhoods and causing widespread traffic disruptions across the city.
Meteorologists expect intermittent weather activity to continue in parts of northeastern Punjab over the coming days, while authorities remain on alert for any further rainfall that could affect urban infrastructure and transport networks.
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