PSL match abandoned as heavy downpour cripples life in Lahore

As per PMD, rainfall measurements include 35mm in Nishtar Town, 29.4mm in Johar Town, and 11.4mm in Gulberg

LAHORE:

Heavy rain accompanied by hailstorms and strong winds disrupted routine life in Lahore on Tuesday, inundating low-lying areas, triggering widespread power outages and leading to the abandonment of a key fixture of the Pakistan Super League.

Persistent rain forced PSL management to abandon the match between Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi at Gaddafi Stadium, where ground staff covered the pitch and outfield with protective sheets.

Across the city, heavy downpours were reported in Gulberg, Kalma Chowk, Ferozepur Road, Nishtar Town, Wapda Town, Township, Johar Town, and surrounding areas. The rainfall brought a noticeable drop in temperature and improved weather conditions, but also led to significant urban flooding in several localities.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, rainfall measurements included 35 millimetres in Nishtar Town, 29.4mm in Johar Town, 11.4mm in Gulberg and smaller accumulations across Jail Road, Samanabad, Iqbal Town and other areas. Hail was also reported in parts of the city, including Shimla Pahari.

Pakistan Weather Alert:

Heavy rain recorded in KP, Punjab, Islamabad, Kashmir & GB.
Flash flood risk from 2–4 April.
Thunderstorms, hail & strong winds expected.
Highest temp: 37°C in Mithi#PakistanWeather #RainAlert #FlashFlood pic.twitter.com/szYrD6YomB

— Pak Met Department محکمہ موسمیات (@pmdgov) March 31, 2026

The rainwater accumulation once again exposed Lahore’s drainage vulnerabilities, as streets in low-lying areas were submerged, slowing traffic and creating hazardous conditions for commuters.

“Even moderate rain floods our entire street,” said a resident of Mughalpura, Adil Butt. “Water enters homes quickly and takes hours to recede.”

Motorists also reported severe difficulties. “You can’t see potholes under the water, and traffic just collapses,” said a commuter from China Scheme. “It becomes risky to even ride a motorcycle.”

The storm also impacted the power supply, with more than 100 feeders tripping across the city. Officials from Lahore Electric Supply Company said the outages were caused by sudden system load and weather-related faults, adding that restoration efforts were underway.

The ongoing weather pattern is part of a broader system affecting multiple regions. The Pakistan Meteorological Department said a westerly wave is expected to further influence weather conditions, with more rain and thunderstorms likely in Lahore and other parts of Punjab over the coming days.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Authority has issued a high alert, forecasting rain, windstorms and thunderstorms across the country from March 31 to April 5. The authority warned that heavy spells could trigger flood-like situations in parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, with isolated hailstorms also expected.

Rain is forecast intermittently in Islamabad and several Punjab cities, including Rawalpindi, Murree, Gujrat, Sialkot and Lahore, while southern districts may also receive scattered showers. Authorities have cautioned that worsening weather conditions could disrupt transportation and damage weak infrastructure.

Despite a brief dip in temperatures offering some relief, the latest spell of rain has once again exposed the city’s persistent shortcomings in rainwater management.

Experts cautioned that without substantial upgrades to the drainage infrastructure — particularly in low-lying areas — even routine seasonal rainfall was likely to continue disrupting urban mobility and bringing daily life to a standstill. The warning underscored long-standing concerns over the city’s preparedness to handle increasingly unpredictable weather patterns.