LAHORE:
Heavy rain accompanied by strong winds and hail swept across Lahore on Saturday, ending a spell of intense heat but disrupting traffic and power supplies in parts of the city.
Rain and hail also caused several injuries following accidents.
Dark clouds covered areas such as Township, Model Town, Green Town, Iqbal Town, Garden Town, Gulberg, Mall Road, Garhi Shahu and neighboring localities before rain and gusty wind brought down temperatures.
Residents welcomed the change in weather after days of heat.
The town of Nishtar received the highest rainfall with 30 millimeters. Lakshmi Chowk 26 mm, Chowk Nakhuda 24 mm, Mughalpura 23 mm and Upper Mall 22 mm, while rainfall of 17 mm was recorded in Tajpura, Gulshan Ravi and Iqbal Town. Gulberg received 7mm of rain.
Rain and hail affected traffic in various parts of the provincial capital, with motorists facing reduced visibility and accumulation of water on the roads. In Wapda town, a wall collapsed on a rickshaw during the storm, injuring two people. The 1122 emergency services transferred them to Jinnah hospital.
More than 50 power lines of the Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) tripped, while technical faults led to power outages in several other areas.
Lesco’s general manager said restoration work began once weather conditions improved. He added that electricity supply in the Lesco region remained in line with demand.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed all concerned departments to remain on alert amid rains and ensure immediate drainage of rainwater.
She ordered continued monitoring of storm sewers, canals and other drainage channels, asked irrigation crews to closely monitor water flows and ordered authorities to ensure manhole covers were in place in urban and rural areas. She also highlighted the implementation of safety measures to protect the public in the event of adverse weather conditions.
The chief minister ordered enhanced security measures at construction sites, close monitoring of vulnerable buildings and timely alerts on potential risks of roof collapses. She asked the authorities to maintain smooth traffic flow on major roads and directed the Punjab Safe Cities Authority and the city traffic police to remain fully vigilant.
Lahore Commissioner Maryam Khan asked all departments to ensure effective drainage arrangements as rainfall was continuously monitored at 16 places in the city.
The commissioner ordered the Water and Sanitation Agency to keep all machinery operational and ensure that backup systems remain available at sewage treatment plants. Emergency teams have been instructed to focus on low-lying areas, main roads and other rain-affected locations to avoid any inconvenience to residents.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department said weak moist currents from the Bay of Bengal were moving towards northeast and eastern Punjab, while an anticyclonic system in the upper atmosphere was expected to persist for the next 36 hours. The department said most parts of the country are likely to remain hot and dry, although isolated rains, winds and thunderstorms are expected in Kashmir, eastern and northeastern Punjab and the Pothohar region. Heavy rain and hailstorms may also occur in some areas.
For Sunday, the Met Office forecasts mainly warm and dry weather across most of the country, with very hot conditions expected in Sindh and southern Balochistan. However, partly cloudy weather is likely over Kashmir, Pothohar and northeastern Balochistan, while isolated rain and thunderstorm accompanied by gusty winds may occur in southeastern Punjab.
