Heavy rain, hailstorm lash Lahore as CM orders emergency drainage and high alert

• Rain, windstorm disrupt life; electricity breakdowns reported in several areas

• CM Maryam Nawaz directs monitoring of drains, canals and vulnerable structures

• WASA, PDMA, Rescue 1122 and district teams mobilised across city

 LAHORE: Heavy rain accompanied by hailstorm and strong windstorm lashed various parts of the provincial capital on Saturday, turning the weather pleasant and causing difficulties for citizens, particularly due to widespread electricity breakdowns.

In view of the prevailing weather conditions, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed all relevant departments to remain on high alert during rainfall across the province, according to a handout issued by the Punjab Directorate General Public Relations (DGPR).

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directs all relevant departments to remain on high alert during heavy rainstorms.

🔹Instructed all concerned authorities to ensure the immediate drainage of rainwater.

🔹Ordered continuous monitoring of stormwater drains and waterways.

🔹Directed… pic.twitter.com/bAEH2NdE94

— PMLN (@pmln_org) May 30, 2026

According to official data, the highest rainfall was recorded in Nishtar Town, while Shadipura received the lowest.

Data shared by the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) showed that 20.5 mm of rain was recorded at Jail Road, 40 mm at the airport area, 20 mm at Gulberg Head Office, 30.5 mm at Lakshmi Chowk, 29 mm at Upper Mall, 30.5 mm at Mughalpura, 27 mm at Tajpura, 48.5 mm at Nishtar Town, and 25 mm at Chowk Nakhuda.

Other areas also received rainfall, including Pani Wala Talab (22 mm), Farrukhabad (19 mm), Gulshan-i-Ravi (17 mm), Iqbal Town (20 mm), Samanabad (22.5 mm), Johar Town (37.5 mm), Defence Road (15 mm), Shadipura (0.5 mm), and Saggian (18.5 mm).

Separately, Rescue 1122 reported that at least two people were injured when a wall collapsed on a rickshaw in Wapda Town. One of the injured was shifted to Jinnah Hospital for treatment.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecast rain, windstorm, and thunderstorms at isolated places in Azad Kashmir, northeast and eastern Punjab, and the Potohar region over the next 24 hours. It added that heavy rainfall and hailstorms may also occur during this period.

Earlier, the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) had warned that temperatures would remain significantly above normal across the province from May 25 to May 31.

 CM orders emergency monitoring of drainage and urban safety systems

In a post on social media platform X, it was stated that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed officials to ensure immediate drainage of rainwater, continuous supervision, and effective monitoring of WASA operations.

وزیراعلیٰ پنجاب مریم نواز شریف کا صوبہ بھر میں طوفانی بارشوں کے دوران تمام متعلقہ اداروں کو ہائی الرٹ رہنے کا حکم

وزیراعلی مریم نواز شریف کا تمام متعلقہ اداروں کو بارش کے پانی کی فوری نکاسی یقینی بنانے کی ہدایت

بارشی پانی کی فوری نکاسی کے لئے واسا آپریشنز کی مسلسل نگرانی اور… pic.twitter.com/AmV8YJ27ok

— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) May 30, 2026

She also ordered continuous monitoring of stormwater drains and drainage channels, stressing that rainwater must not be allowed to accumulate in urban areas. The chief minister further directed the Punjab Irrigation Department to remain alert and closely monitor water flow in canals.

Maryam Nawaz instructed all concerned departments to ensure comprehensive safety measures during rainfall, including precautionary arrangements at construction sites to prevent accidents.

She also ordered special monitoring of dilapidated and vulnerable buildings, while district administrations were directed to issue alerts regarding the risk of roof collapses.

The chief minister further directed authorities to ensure smooth traffic flow on major highways and thoroughfares. She instructed the Punjab Safe Cities Authority and Chief Traffic Officer to remain fully alert and maintain public communication and guidance for effective traffic management.

“All field teams must remain fully prepared to protect the lives and property of the people,” the chief minister was quoted as saying.

WASA, DC monitoring teams in field to ensure drainage operations

In a statement, WASA said Managing Director Ghufran Ahmed visited multiple areas of the city, including low-lying localities, to review rainwater drainage operations.

MD WASA Ghufran Ahmed Continues Inspections of Low-Lying Areas. MD WASA Lahore Ghufran Ahmed visited Lytton Road, Mall Road, Edward Road, and GPO Chowk to review ongoing drainage operations.@MaryamNSharif @GovtofPunjabPK @PunjabWasa @HousingPunjab pic.twitter.com/1uUJC1Fs6V

— WASA Lahore (@lahore_wasa) May 30, 2026

He inspected Qurtaba Chowk, Kalma Chowk underpass, Gaddafi Stadium, Liberty Chowk and Main Boulevard Gulberg, and directed officials to accelerate drainage work.

WASA further said the DG also instructed that all available resources be utilised to ensure prompt clearance of water from low-lying areas, major roads, and underpasses to maintain smooth traffic flow.

MD WASA Ghufran Ahmed Continues Visits to Low-Lying Areas. MD WASA Lahore Ghufran Ahmed visited Qurtaba Chowk to review ongoing drainage operations amid rainfall. pic.twitter.com/iO6yOmjyex

— WASA Lahore (@lahore_wasa) May 30, 2026

According to the managing director, all disposal stations were operating at full capacity during the ongoing drainage operation.

Lahore Deputy Commissioner Captain (R) Muhammad Ali Ijaz also visited Mazang and Lakshmi Chowk and received a briefing from the WASA DG. He was informed that drainage had been completed from all key areas of the city, while teams remained engaged in clearing remaining pockets.

The DC directed WASA staff to remain on high alert in low-lying areas and ensure prompt drainage of rainwater. He also ordered uninterrupted operation of disposal stations and continuous cleaning of sewerage lines.

Officials were instructed to resolve citizen complaints on a priority basis and ensure roads were cleared swiftly to maintain smooth traffic flow.