By Staff Reporter
LAHORE: Lahore witnessed a record-breaking 360 mm of rainfall in just three hours on Thursday, shattering a 44-year-old record, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).
The previous record, set in July 1980, was 332 mm of rain over three hours.
“This was the highest rainfall in a single day during the monsoon season in at least 44 years,” said Farooq Dar, PMD’s deputy director.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has forecast the sixth spell of monsoon rains in Punjab from Thursday to August 6, with strong winds and thundershowers expected in most districts of south Punjab.
Two people died and seven others were injured in rain-related incidents across Lahore, including a child and a man killed in separate incidents.
Heavy rains inundated several neighborhoods in Lahore, prompting the PDMA to put emergency services on high alert.
The monsoon spell has disrupted the morning commute, suspended electricity in several areas, and flooded roads, houses, and hospitals. Water entered the emergency departments of two major hospitals, Services Hospital and Mayo Hospital, causing distress to patients.
The heavy downpour has also tripped over 400 feeders, exacerbating the situation.
“The situation is being closely monitored, and relevant departments are on high alert to deal with emergency situations,” PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia said in a statement.
Kathia warned citizens to take precautions, avoid electric poles and hanging wires, and steer clear of mud houses and dilapidated buildings.
The PDMA has instructed deputy commissioners to ensure rapid drainage of water from low-lying areas.
In a related development, at least 24 people were killed and 17 injured as monsoon rains lashed various parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from July 29 through Thursday, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).
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