Heavy monsoon rain lashes Punjab cities as Lahore gets 123mm

LAHORE: Intermittent heavy rain affected several cities in Punjab over the last 24 hours, with Lahore receiving 123 millimetres of rainfall, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa).

Wasa said Gujranwala recorded 245mm of rain, while Gujrat received 95mm. The PDMA reported rainfall of 139mm in Sialkot, 138mm in Mandi Bahauddin, 117mm in Narowal, 85mm in Hafizabad, 70mm in Chakwal, 64mm in Okara, 35mm in Jhang, 33mm in Layyah and 32mm in Jhelum.

The PDMA said that at least 17 people have died in rain-related incidents in Punjab since the start of the monsoon season. Twelve of those deaths occurred due to the collapse of buildings or other structures, while two people died in lightning strikes and three by electrocution.

Water accumulation reported in several cities

Residents in central and northern Punjab faced disruption as rainwater collected on roads and streets. In Gujranwala, photographs shared on social media and confirmed by a correspondent showed the Shamsi Underpass in the Civil Lines area fully submerged on Wednesday, stopping traffic from passing through.

In Lahore, rainwater was reported in a number of localities, including Kareem Block Market, Johar Town, Township, Ferozepur Road, Multan Road, Samanabad, Gulshan-i-Ravi, Lakshmi Chowk and Model Town, as well as other major roads and streets. Videos posted on X showed vehicles moving through knee-deep water on major roads, while social media users also reported extended electricity outages in areas that received rain during the last 24 hours.

Wasa Lahore, however, said in a statement that no water accumulation had been reported on most major roads and intersections. The agency said drainage operations across the city were being monitored in real time from the monsoon control room.

Drainage operations under way

Rainwater drainage work was under way in 41 districts, while rivers, dams and barrages were being continuously monitored. The Wasa Punjab director general said all field teams had been placed on high alert and instructed to ensure the quickest possible drainage of rainwater, adding that public convenience remained the top priority.

While monitoring operations in Gujranwala, the DG Wasa Punjab said:

"Teams are mobilised for immediate cleaning of main drains and channels to provide relief to citizens."

He also advised people to avoid unnecessary travel and to contact the relevant authorities in case of an emergency. In Gujrat, Wasa said 20 emergency teams were continuously carrying out drainage work across the city’s three zones, and claimed that traffic was moving normally on major roads.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz urged the public not to put themselves at risk by going near or bathing in canals, rivers and rainwater drains during the monsoon season and flood conditions. Punjab Housing Minister Bilal Yasin directed departments to stay mobilised to address citizens’ difficulties during the monsoon and called for priority drainage in low-lying areas.

Bilal Yasin said:

"With above-normal rainfall expected during this monsoon season, the drainage system across Punjab — including Lahore — is being made more effective and modernised."