Lahore and parts of Punjab were battered by torrential monsoon rains on Thursday, submerging homes, roads, and underpasses, and claiming five lives across the province. With Nishtar Town recording 182mm of rainfall, the deluge disrupted traffic, caused widespread power outages, and exposed gaps in drainage infrastructure, prompting urgent response efforts from local authorities.
Heavy rainfall starting at 5am on Thursday lashed Lahore for over six hours, leaving low-lying areas inundated and paralyzing daily life. The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) reported Nishtar Town as the hardest hit, with 182mm of rain, while areas like Dharampura, Shah Jamal, Choburji, and Katchi Abadis saw homes and streets flooded. Major roads, including Kalma Chowk, Ferozepur Road, Haji Camp, Canal Road, and Harbanspura, were submerged, stranding vehicles and motorcycles in deep water. A house and mosque in Shah Jamal were also flooded, adding to the chaos.
The downpour, which ceased around 11:30am, triggered tragic incidents across Punjab, claiming five lives. In Sheikhupura, a roof collapse killed two children, 5-year-old Fatima and 2-year-old Arham. In Pattoki, a 55-year-old woman, Salma Bibi, and a 12-year-old boy, Sujawal, died in separate incidents due to structural collapses. In Lahore, a boy was fatally electrocuted while bathing in rainwater near Lari Adda, highlighting the dangers of exposed electrical infrastructure during floods.
The Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) reported 142 power feeders tripped, causing widespread outages. LESCO’s CEO urged residents to steer clear of power poles and wet infrastructure, noting that restoration would begin once conditions stabilized. WASA Managing Director Ghaffar Ahmed oversaw drainage operations, directing staff to prioritize clearing major roads. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz commended WASA’s efforts and ordered continuous operations to restore normalcy.
Despite drainage efforts, many neighborhoods remained waterlogged, exposing the city’s outdated drainage systems. The Pakistan Meteorological Department forecasted intermittent monsoon rains across Lahore, Jhelum, Sialkot, Narowal, and Hafizabad until July 13, raising concerns about further flooding. Authorities have urged residents to stay cautious and avoid flood-prone areas as emergency teams work to mitigate the crisis.
