BTN News: Lahore, the cultural capital of Pakistan, saw record rainfall early Thursday morning. The heavy rain started before sunrise and caused major disruptions. Streets flooded, traffic slowed, and one person died. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) says the rain will continue on and off for the next week. They also warn of possible flash floods and landslides.
The monsoon rains also hit Islamabad, the nation’s capital, and other areas. In Lahore, the rain was so heavy that many streets quickly filled with water. The water even entered parts of Jinnah and Services hospitals, making it hard for patients and doctors. This shows how serious the situation is.
Sadly, one person died from an electric shock in the Nishat Colony area. In some parts of Lahore, it rained 35.3 centimeters (14 inches) in just a few hours. This broke a 44-year-old record, says the water and sanitation agency. Workers are trying to pump water off the main roads to make them usable again.
The city’s drainage systems could not handle all the water. Many homes in different parts of Lahore got flooded. This caused problems for people as water entered their houses.
This heavy rain comes as Pakistan is still recovering from last year’s big floods. Those floods affected 33 million people and killed 1,739. Experts say there will be less rain this year compared to last year. But the current situation in Lahore shows that the country is still at risk from such weather events.
April 2023 was the wettest April since 1961 for Pakistan. It rained more than twice the usual amount for that month. Experts blame climate change for these heavy rains. The pattern of increased and unexpected rainfall shows that Pakistan needs better infrastructure and disaster plans.
As the rain continues, people in Lahore and other affected areas should stay alert and follow the advice from authorities. The city is working hard to manage this heavy rain. The response will be important to stop more loss of life and damage to property.
