Lahore was hit by an extraordinary bout of heavy rainfall that shattered a 30-year-old record. Within a span of just 10 hours on Wednesday, the city received over 290mm of rain, as reported by Commissioner Lahore Mohammad Ali Randhawa. This unprecedented level of rainfall was attributed to the impact of climate change and a powerful monsoon season.
Numerous areas in Lahore were severely affected, with more than a dozen locations recording rainfall exceeding 200mm. The city administration, in collaboration with the Water and Sanitation Authority (Wasa) Lahore, is actively working to ensure effective drainage of rainwater.
Comparing the recent rainfall to significant past events, Commissioner Randhawa highlighted that a staggering 291mm of rain was recorded, surpassing the levels observed in June 2023 (256mm) and 2022 (238mm). This remarkable downpour within such a short timeframe has not been witnessed in the past three decades.
Once the rain subsides, MD Wasa Ghafran Ahmed assured the public that immediate measures would be taken to clear waterlogged low-lying areas. However, the heavy rain resulted in severe waterlogging on major roads and streets, leading to extremely challenging transportation conditions. Some vehicles broke down due to the high water levels. Additionally, areas such as Shah Jamal and Tajpura experienced water entering houses, and power outages added to the difficulties faced by residents.