Metropolis receives 291mm rain, most in 30 years | roads inundated | three die in KP rain-related incidents
\nLAHORE
\nAt least seven people were reported dead in Lahore as the provincial capital saw its heaviest rainfall in 30 years on Wednesday causing significant urban flooding and power outages.
\nTaking note of the unfolding situation, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the Punjab government to take urgent measures and mobilise the rescue teams amidst heavy rains in the province.
\nThe prime minister called for coordinated efforts by the district administration, Rescue 1122, Provincial Disaster Management Authority, and municipal and other departments, saying that all possible measures should be taken to protect the citizens\u2019 lives, according to a PM Office statement.
\nHe instructed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and other federal departments to extend maximum support to the Punjab government if required.
\nPM Shehbaz said that the necessary steps should be taken to alert the citizens of any emergency situation, chalk out alternate traffic plans and make arrangements for proper drainage.
\nHe also instructed authorities to take preventive measures in the wake of the monsoon rains in other parts of the country, besides asking the NDMA and PDMAs to coordinate necessary arrangements.
\nThe premier further stressed that all possible steps should be taken to relocate the people from villages to safe locations besides saving their cattle and livestock.
\nSimilarly, he said all necessary measures should be taken to prevent urban flooding.
\nThe prime minister also directed to mobilise the respective administrations of Gilgit Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other hilly areas, besides instructing to keep the PMO updated on all measures taken.
\nThe rain began around 4am this morning, leaving large portions of the city submerged and wreaking havoc in all low-lying and posh areas of the city.
\nAccording to the data, the highest amount of rainfall was recorded at the heart of Lahore in the area of Lakshmi Chowk where 291 mm rain fell in 10 hours.
\nMeanwhile, Jail Road recorded 147 mm, while in the Airport area it stood at130 mm, at Head Office Gulberg the rain was recorded at 210mm, Upper Mall at 199mm, in Mughalpura at 220mm, in Tajpura at 249mm, in Nishtar Town at 280mm and in Chowk Nakhuda 205 at mm.
\nMore than 200 mm of rain was recorded in over a dozen areas across the city.
\nNotably, a maximum 238 mm of rain was recorded in Lahore last year in 2022.
\nCommissioner Lahore Muhammad Ali Randhawa said that in 2018, 288 mm had been recorded in the city, adding that \u201cLahore has not received so much rain in such a short period of time in the last 30 years.\u201d
\nMD Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), Lahore MD Wasa Ghafran Ahmad said that all the low-lying areas will be cleared within a few hours after the rain stops. \u201cThe system is working at full capacity to ensure drainage.\u201d
\nHowever, WASA staff remained largely absent from the streets.
\nOf the seven deaths reported so far, three were said to be due to roof collapse and at least one was due to electrocution
\nAccording to the rescue authorities, a weakened roof collapsed due to rain in Misri Shah, due to which three people including an 8-year-old child died. The deceased were identified as Nawash, Kulsoom and 8-year-old Asad. The bodies were removed from the wreckage and handed over to the heirs.
\nAccording to the police, an electric wire broke and fell on the road in the Chungi Amar Sidhu area. The deceased youth was identified as 22-year-old Usman.
\nThe body of the deceased was left lying in the rainwater for hours, according to reports.
\nEarlier, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority Director General Imran Qureshi had warnedabout the possibility of floods in the hilly areas of Dera Ghazi Khan Division from July 6 to July 8.
\nThe PDMA has also cautioned about the possibility of a significant increase in water flow in the rivulets of Jhelum, Chenab, and Ravi rivers starting from July 9.
\nThis escalation in water levels could be caused by India\u2019s release of water, which may result in a potential flood situation in the Sutlej River. Discussing the issued alert, Imran Qureshi stated that intermittent rainfall is expected in various cities of Punjab until July 8.
\nHeavy rain is expected in Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat, Jhelum, Attock, Chakwal, Toba Tek Singh, and Mandi Bahauddin, he added.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Metropolis receives 291mm rain, most in 30 years | roads inundated | three die in KP rain-related incidents LAHORE At least seven people were reported dead in Lahore as the provincial capital saw its heaviest rainfall in 30 years on Wednesday causing significant urban flooding and power outages. Taking note of the unfolding situation, Prime […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":341558,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-341539","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n