Unprecedented rainfall in several regions of Punjab and KPK resulted in 9 deaths and caused widespread disruption on Wednesday.
Lahore’s Lakshmi Chowk saw a record 291mm of rain in 10 hours, exceeding the previous record of 288mm set in 2018, leading to six fatalities and widespread flooding.
More than 12 locations around the city recorded over 200mm of rain, emphasizing the severe impact of climate change on the region.
The victims included three electrocution cases, two deaths from a roof collapse, and a drowned girl.
The downpour resulted in inundated roads and houses, electricity disruptions, and difficulty for commuters, with more than 100 feeders of the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) tripping.
Efforts are underway to manage the flooding, with WASA Managing Director Ghufran Ahmed stating that rainwater would be pumped out as soon as the rain ceased.
Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also saw three deaths due to the severe weather. According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority, two people died in Shangla and one in Karak. In addition, eight people were injured and several houses were damaged.
The Met Office reported rainfall measurements in various Punjab locations, with Lahore witnessing a range of 86mm to 180mm in different areas.
