Heavy Rains Paralyse Life Across Punjab, 10 Dead and Over 90 Injured as Monsoon Rages On
Punjab witnessed widespread chaos since Monday as torrential monsoon rains lashed Lahore and several other cities, claiming at least 10 lives and injuring 92 people in various rain-related incidents. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted that the intense wet spell is expected to continue until July 17, prompting emergency alerts across the province.
Lahore was among the worst-hit, with key roads such as Ferozepur Road, Canal Road, and areas of Gulberg submerged under rainwater. The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) reported the heaviest rainfall in Paniwala Talab at 171mm, closely followed by Iqbal Town at 169mm. Several other areas including Tajpura, Samanabad, and Lakshmi Chowk also recorded significant downpours. Water seeped into homes in neighborhoods like Johar Town’s Board of Revenue Society, while widespread flooding hampered traffic and triggered extended power outages across the city.
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Power supply disruptions were widespread, and the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) announced that restoration efforts would resume once the rain subsides. Stormy weather also affected air traffic, with multiple incoming flights forced to circle above Lahore due to low visibility. Flights from Jeddah and Dubai experienced delays, including one operated by a foreign airline.
To tackle the situation, Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza visited Gaddafi Stadium and other low-lying zones along with WASA personnel to inspect ongoing drainage efforts. He directed staff to speed up the removal of accumulated rainwater, while the district administration issued safety advisories urging the public to avoid contact with electrical wires and flooded areas. Despite the intense rainfall, the Chief Minister’s Complaint Cell confirmed that all underpasses in Lahore remained open to traffic.
Elsewhere in Punjab, intermittent rainfall and stormy weather were reported in cities including Pattoki, Okara, Sahiwal, Chichawatni, Mian Channu, Sargodha, Sialkot, Gujrat, and Sheikhupura. In Faisalabad, heavy rain led to widespread electricity outages. In Pakpattan, a tragic incident occurred when a woman died from electrocution.
Fatal accidents across the province added to the grim toll. In Bahawalnagar’s Basti Rasheed Kot Manchanabad, the collapse of a madrasa roof killed two boys—8-year-old Salman and 10-year-old Saifullah—while injuring twelve others. Faisalabad saw the death of 10-year-old Ali Jan after an electric pole fell on him. In Okara, lightning claimed the lives of 16-year-old Anam and 17-year-old Asad near Head Sulemanki. Lahore recorded two electrocutions: 15-year-old Awais and 13-year-old Esha lost their lives at Barf Khana Stop in Harbanspura. A roof collapse in Sherakot led to the death of 20-year-old Faisal Aslam. In Pakpattan, 4-year-old Moin died when the roof of a home collapsed in Chak 85/D, while 13-year-old Haider Ali was killed in a wall collapse in Jhandiwala Koh. Numerous injuries from collapsing structures were reported across the region.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued urgent warnings to all deputy commissioners in Punjab, activating emergency operation centres and placing rescue teams on full alert. PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia emphasized the need for rapid response, especially in low-lying areas, and urged all departments to be prepared for further emergencies. He also appealed to parents to keep children away from stagnant water to avoid accidents.
In neighbouring Sindh, Hyderabad and Jamshoro experienced power outages on Monday evening due to strong winds and rainfall. The Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO) reported that grid stations such as Khanoth, Shalmani, and Bhanoth were temporarily down due to fallen high-tension poles, but services were later restored.
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