Once again, Lahore has been hit by a devastating spell of monsoon rains, resulting in a catastrophic situation. The city streets have succumbed to flooding caused by incessant heavy rainfall that commenced early on Wednesday morning.
Lahore has experienced an unprecedented deluge in a distressing turn of events, with a staggering 255 millimetres of rainfall reported within eight hours, as the caretaker chief minister stated in a tweet. Consequently, the roads have become submerged, and the canals are overflowing.
Tragically, according to rescue sources, a young boy named Wali Muhammad died when he drowned in rainwater accumulated in an empty plot in the Raiwind area. He was just 14 years old.
Furthermore, in the Do Moria Pull area, three individuals sustained injuries when their house collapsed under the weight of the torrential downpour. Regrettably, all three—a man, his wife, and their six-year-old son—succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment at the hospital.
Power Supply Disruptions and Inquiry Initiated
In areas like The Mall and GOR, uprooted trees have toppled onto electricity wires, resulting in power outages across numerous localities. The Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) spokesperson informed us that restoring the power supply is challenging due to the heavy rainfall. However, efforts to reinstate the electricity will commence once the rain subsides.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken note of the incident involving the snapping of LESCO wires in Lahore and has ordered an investigation. He instructed Brig (retd) Muzaffar Ali Ranjha, chairman of the inspection commission, to inquire into the matter and submit a report.
The Prime Minister has also directed the Punjab government to take immediate measures in response to the torrential rains. He has instructed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and federal institutions to provide full assistance to the Punjab government if required.
Swift and necessary actions must be taken to prevent further damage caused by urban flooding. The rain, accompanied by thunderstorms, has altered the weather and severely impacted low-lying areas due to water accumulation.
Continued Rainfall Affected Healthcare Facilities
Even the city’s affluent areas have not been spared, with cars and motorcycles stalling on the roads, leading to significant travel disruptions for citizens.
According to the Meteorological Department, the rain will persist throughout the day with intermittent breaks. Furthermore, the downpour has been forecasted to continue for the next 48 hours.
The heavy rainfall has transformed Lahore into a landscape resembling rivers, and the absence of adequate drainage measures has severely affected citizens.
Disturbing reports have emerged of rainwater accumulating in the operation theatres and wards of General and Children’s hospitals. Consequently, the departments of plastic surgery, thoracic surgery, and physiotherapy at the General Hospital have been evacuated, making it challenging to provide medical treatment.
