Lahore Paralyzed by Record Monsoon Rains; Six Dead in Weather-Related Incidents
Lahore reeled under its heaviest monsoon downpour of the season on Saturday, as relentless rain submerged major roads, knocked out power in several neighborhoods, and caused multiple fatal accidents that claimed at least six lives.
The hour-long deluge overwhelmed the city’s aging drainage system, leaving traffic at a standstill and large sections of the city underwater. Officials from the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) confirmed rainfall totals not seen this season, with some areas receiving over 140 millimeters in just a few hours.
Series of Deadly Accidents Across the City
Emergency services reported several casualties from weather-related incidents.
- Lightning Strikes in Kahna: Two people died and two others were injured when a lightning bolt struck in Lahore’s Kahna area. The injured victims were rushed to a local hospital.
- Roof Collapse in Old Anarkali: A man was killed after the roof of his mud-and-girder house caved in. Rescue teams spent hours removing debris to recover his body.
- Tragedy on Bedian Road: Three more lives were lost, and four others sustained injuries, in another roof collapse during the downpour. Rescue teams moved the injured to nearby hospitals for urgent care.
Roads Turn to Rivers
The downpour left some of Lahore’s busiest streets—Johar Town, Wapda Town, Gulberg, Ferozepur Road, Canal Road, and Muslim Town—completely flooded. Videos shared by residents on social media showed cars stranded in waist-deep water, while commuters abandoned vehicles and waded through submerged roads.
Frequent power outages compounded the chaos, with many residents describing the city as “brought to its knees” by the rainfall.
Rainfall Records: Nishtar Town Hit Hardest
WASA reported that Nishtar Town bore the brunt of the storm with 145 mm of rain, followed by Chowk Nakhda (117 mm) and Tajpura (116 mm). Other key neighborhoods also saw intense rainfall: Upper Mall (107 mm), Iqbal Town (106 mm), and Laxmi Chowk (102 mm).
More Rain on the Horizon
According to Irfan Virk, Deputy Director at the Meteorological Department, intermittent showers will continue for the next 24 hours. He warned that another strong monsoon system is expected to move into Pakistan by early September, raising the risk of further urban flooding.
This year’s monsoon has already brought 12% more rainfall than the seasonal average, intensifying concerns over how cities like Lahore will manage future downpours with aging drainage and infrastructure.
