According to PMD, rainfall measurements include 35 mm in Nishtar town, 29.4 mm in Johar town and 11.4 mm in Gulberg.
LAHORE:
Heavy rain accompanied by hailstorms and strong winds disrupted daily life in Lahore on Tuesday, flooding low-lying areas, causing widespread power outages and leading to the abandonment of a key Pakistan Super League match.
Persistent rains forced the PSL management to abandon the match between Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi at the Gaddafi Stadium, where the ground staff covered the pitch and outfield with protective tarpaulins.
Across the city, heavy showers were reported from Gulberg, Kalma Chowk, Ferozepur Road, Nishtar town, Wapda town, township, Johar town and surrounding areas. The precipitation caused a notable drop in temperatures and an improvement in weather conditions, but also caused significant urban flooding in several localities.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, rainfall readings included 35 millimeters in Nishtar town, 29.4 mm in Johar town, 11.4 mm in Gulberg and smaller accumulations over Jail Road, Samanabad, Iqbal town and other areas. Hail was also reported in parts of the city, including Shimla Pahari.
The accumulation of rainwater once again exposed the vulnerabilities of Lahore’s drainage, as streets in low-lying areas were submerged, slowing traffic and creating dangerous conditions for commuters.
“Even moderate rain floods our entire street,” said Adil Butt, a resident of Mughalpura. “Water enters homes quickly and takes hours to disappear. »
Motorists also reported serious difficulties. “You can’t see any potholes underwater and the traffic collapses,” said a China Scheme commuter. “It even becomes risky to drive a motorcycle.”
The storm also impacted power supply, with more than 100 power lines tripped across the city. Officials of the Lahore Electric Supply Company said the outages were caused by sudden system loading and weather-related outages, adding that restoration efforts were underway.
Current weather conditions are part of a larger system affecting several regions. Pakistan Meteorological Department said a westerly wave is expected to further influence weather conditions, with more rains and thunderstorms likely in Lahore and other parts of Punjab over the next few days.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Authority issued a high alert, predicting 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.
Intermittent rains are forecast in Islamabad and several cities of Punjab, including Rawalpindi, Murree, Gujrat, Sialkot and Lahore, while southern districts may also receive scattered showers. Authorities have warned that deteriorating weather conditions could disrupt transport and damage fragile infrastructure.
Despite a brief drop in temperatures providing some relief, the latest spell of rain has once again highlighted the city’s continuing shortcomings in stormwater management.
Experts have warned that without substantial improvement in drainage infrastructure – particularly in low-lying areas – even routine seasonal rains will likely continue to disrupt urban mobility and paralyze daily life. The warning underscores long-standing concerns about the city’s preparedness to deal with increasingly unpredictable weather.
