8-Hour Rain Sets New Record in Lahore

Lahore experienced a historic spell of rainfall on Thursday, with nearly eight continuous hours of downpour setting a new city record.

According to the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), the city received an average of 136 millimeters of rain, the highest ever recorded for such a duration.

The heaviest rainfall was reported in Nishtar Town, which received 178 mm, followed by 175 mm in Iqbal Town Division and Paniwala Talab. The rain began around 5 am and caused widespread waterlogging in several low-lying areas.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif closely monitored the situation, issuing emergency directives for immediate drainage operations, particularly in the worst-hit areas of Allama Iqbal Town and Nishtar Town.

WASA teams, along with other relevant agencies, remained active throughout the day, working to clear blocked drains and restore normalcy. Frequent power outages further complicated drainage efforts, but field officers and staff continued operations to minimize disruption.

To ensure the smooth flow of traffic, the Chief Minister instructed traffic wardens and officers to remain on duty across the city.

A spokesman for Rescue Punjab reported that, across the province, four people lost their lives and 40 others were injured due to rain-related incidents and storms in the past 24 hours.

Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious and cooperate with emergency services as drainage and recovery operations continue.