Intermittent heavy rain hits Punjab cities, Lahore receives 123mm

Intermittent heavy rainfall lashed several cities in Punjab over the previous 24 hours, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said on Wednesday.

According to the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa), 123 millimetres of rain was recorded in Lahore, a record 245mm in Gujranwala and 95mm in Gujrat.

The PDMA said 139mm of rainfall was recorded in Sialkot, 138mm in Mandi Bahauddin, 117mm in Narowal, 85mm in Hafizabad, 70mm in Chakwal, 64mm in Okara, 35mm in Jhang, 33mm in Layyah and 32mm in Jhelum.

The disaster management authority further said that since the start of the monsoon season in the province, at least 17 people have died in rain-related incidents. Of the reported deaths, 12 were caused by the collapse of buildings or other structures, two by lightning strikes and three by electrocution, the PDMA said.

Meanwhile, CM Maryam also appealed to the public not to risk their lives by going near or bathing in canals, rivers and rainwater drains during the monsoon season and flood conditions.

Residents faced hardships due to accumulated rainwater on roads in major cities of central and northern Punjab. Photos shared on social media and corroborated by a Dawn correspondent showed the Shamsi Underpass in Gujranwala’s Civil Lines area completely submerged on Wednesday, making it impossible for traffic to pass through.

Rainwater accumulated in different areas of Lahore, including Kareem Block Market, Johar Town, Township, Ferozepur Road, Multan Road, Samanabad, Gulshan-i-Ravi, Lakshmi Chowk, Model Town and other major roads and streets across the city.

Several photos and videos shared on social media showed roads inundated in Lahore, leaving commuters stranded. Videos posted on social media platform X showed cars wading through knee-deep water on major roads across the city. Social media users also reported prolonged power outages in areas that received rainfall over the past 24 hours.

However, Wasa Lahore claimed that no water accumulation was reported on most major roads and intersections, according to a statement.

The statement added that real-time monitoring of citywide drainage operations was being conducted from the monsoon control room.

“Teams are mobilised for immediate cleaning of main drains and channels to provide relief to citizens,” stated DG Wasa Punjab, while conducting field monitoring in Gujranwala.

According to Wasa, rainwater drainage efforts were underway in 41 districts, while authorities are continuously monitoring rivers, dams and barrages.

All Punjab Wasa field teams are on high alert, with directives issued to ensure the swiftest possible drainage of rainwater, Wasa Punjab director general said, adding that public convenience was the top priority.

He further advised citizens to avoid unnecessary travel and contact the relevant authorities in case of an emergency.

In Gujrat, Wasa said 20 of its emergency teams remained continuously engaged in drainage operations across the city’s three zones.

Traffic flowed normally on major roads, Wasa Gujrat claimed.

Punjab’s Housing Minister Bilal Yasin directed all departments to remain mobilised to promptly address difficulties faced by citizens during the monsoon season.

He advised prioritising drainage of water from low-lying areas.

“With above-normal rainfall expected during this monsoon season, the drainage system across Punjab — including Lahore — is being made more effective and modernised,” the provincial minister said. ...