LAHORE: The sixth spell of monsoon rains lashed Lahore on Saturday, unleashing a torrential downpour that paralyzed the city within just one hour, flooding streets and crippling power infrastructure. Between 1:35 PM and 2:35 PM, the heaviest rainfall was recorded at Pani Wala Talab (65mm), followed by Lakshmi Chowk and Gulberg (58mm), while other areas received between 10mm to 39mm.
Major arteries, including Mall Road, Jail Road, and Empress Road, were submerged, severely disrupting traffic and leaving commuters stranded. Low-lying neighborhoods around Shimla Pahari and Haji Camp saw waist-deep water, exposing the city’s drainage shortcomings.
The Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) faced a system-wide failure, with over 120 feeders tripping simultaneously. Areas like Gulshan Ravi, Shahdara, and Mughalpura plunged into darkness, while burned-out transformers worsened outages. Residents complained of delayed restoration efforts, with some enduring hours without electricity.
The extreme weather event has reignited debates about Lahore’s preparedness for intensifying monsoon patterns linked to climate change. With more rain forecast, authorities face mounting pressure to upgrade infrastructure and prevent recurring crises.