Rain, hail disrupt Lahore

Urban flooding exposes drainage gaps

LAHORE:

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

Persistent rain forced a delay in the match between Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi at Gaddafi Stadium, where the toss scheduled for 6:30pm could not take place. 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 flooding in several localities.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, rainfall measurements included 35mm 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.

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 ride a motorcycle."

The storm also impacted 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 under way.

The ongoing weather pattern is part of a broader system affecting multiple regions. The 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.