Torrential rainfall, commencing at 5 AM on Thursday, lashed Lahore for over six hours, inundating low-lying areas, bringing traffic to a standstill, and causing structural damage across several districts in Punjab. The downpour subsided around 11:30 AM, but drainage operations by WASA teams are still underway.
Nishtar Town bore the brunt of the heavy rain, recording 182mm, while homes in Dharampura, Shah Jamal, Choburji, and surrounding localities were flooded. Vehicles and motorcycles were left stranded in deep water, particularly in underpasses and along major thoroughfares. A house and a mosque in Shah Jamal also experienced significant flooding. Incidents of wall and roof collapses were reported in Lahore, Okara, Sheikhupura, and Pattoki, tragically resulting in five fatalities, including a woman and two children, and injuring several others.
In Sheikhupura, two young children, 5-year-old Fatima and 2-year-old Arham, lost their lives when the roof of their home caved in. In Pattoki, 55-year-old Salma Bibi and 12-year-old Sujawal died in separate incidents. In Lahore, a boy was electrocuted while bathing in rainwater that had collected in a vacant plot near Lari Adda.
Lahore’s informal settlements (Katchi Abadis) and underpasses were severely affected, including areas around Kalma Chowk, Ferozepur Road, Haji Camp, Canal Road, and Harbanspura. Despite ongoing drainage efforts, many neighborhoods remained waterlogged. The Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) reported outages on 142 feeders, disrupting power supply in numerous areas. LESCO’s CEO urged citizens to steer clear of power poles and infrastructure during wet conditions and stated that restoration work would commence once the rain ceased.
WASA Managing Director Ghaffar Ahmed visited the affected areas and instructed staff to prioritize clearing major roads. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz commended WASA personnel for their efforts during the storm and ordered uninterrupted operations until all roads were cleared. The Meteorological Department has forecast that monsoon rains will continue intermittently until July 13, with more significant downpours expected in Lahore, Jhelum, Sialkot, Narowal, and Hafizabad over the next 24 hours.
