LAHORE:
Heavy rain accompanied by strong winds and hailstorms lashed Lahore on Saturday, breaking an intense heat wave but disrupting traffic and power supply in some parts of the city.
The rain and hail also left several people injured in accidents.
Dark clouds covered areas like Township, Model Town, Green Town, Iqbal Town, Garden Town, Gulberg, Mall Road, Garhi Shahu and adjoining localities before rain and gusty winds brought down the temperatures.
Residents welcomed the change in weather after days of heat.
The city of Nishtar received the highest rainfall with 30 millimeters. Lakshmi Chowk 26 mm, Nakhuda Chowk 24 mm, Mughalpura 23 mm and Upper Mall 22 mm, while 17 mm rainfall was recorded in Tajpura, Gulshan Ravi and Iqbal Town. Gulberg received 7 mm of rain.
Rain and hail affected traffic flow in several parts of the provincial capital as motorists faced reduced visibility and water accumulation on roads. In the town of Wapda, a wall collapsed on a rickshaw during the storm, injuring two people. Rescue 1122 took them to Jinnah Hospital.
More than 50 feeders of Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) went offline, while technical glitches led to power outages in several other areas.
The Lesco CEO said restoration work began once weather conditions improved. He added that electricity supply in the Lesco region remained in line with demand.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif directed all relevant departments to remain on high alert amid the rains and ensure immediate drainage of rainwater.
He ordered continuous monitoring of storm drains, canals and other drainage channels, instructed irrigation crews to closely monitor water flows and ordered authorities to ensure manhole covers were in place in both urban and rural areas. He also highlighted the implementation of safety measures to protect the public during adverse weather conditions.
The prime minister ordered enhanced safety measures at construction sites, close monitoring of vulnerable buildings and timely warnings about possible risks of roof collapses. He directed the authorities to maintain smooth flow of traffic on major roads and directed the Punjab Safe Cities Authority and City Traffic Police to remain fully alert.
Lahore Commissioner Maryam Khan directed all departments to ensure effective drainage arrangements while continuously monitoring rainfall at 16 locations in the city.
The commissioner directed the Water and Sanitation Agency to keep all machinery operational and ensure backup systems remained available at disposal stations. Emergency teams were instructed to focus on low-lying areas, main roads and other places affected by the rain to avoid inconvenience to residents.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department said weak moist currents from the Bay of Bengal were moving towards northeast and eastern Punjab, while a high-pressure system in the upper atmosphere is expected to persist for the next 36 hours. The department said most of the country is likely to remain warm and dry, although isolated rain, wind and thunderstorms are expected in Kashmir, eastern and northeastern Punjab and the Pothohar region. Heavy rain and hail may also occur in some areas.
For Sunday, the Met Office forecast mainly hot and dry weather in most parts of the country, with very hot conditions expected in Sindh and southern Balochistan. However, partly cloudy weather is likely in Kashmir, Pothohar and northeastern Balochistan, while isolated rain and thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds may occur in southeastern Punjab.
