From June 25 to July 15, Lahore has experienced significantly higher rainfall compared to the same period last year, recording 207mm more than the 2023 average.
A report issued by the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) reveals that last year, the city received an average of 270.7mm of rain during this period. In contrast, this year, rainfall across multiple areas averaged 478.2mm, indicating a sharp increase in monsoon activity.
Some of the areas that received the heaviest rainfall this season include:
In comparison, these same locations received significantly lower rainfall in the same timeframe last year.
Speaking to the media, WASA Managing Director Ghufran Ahmad said the agency is actively managing the increased water levels. “Despite the heavier rains, we are efficiently draining the water to minimize disruptions,” he said.
He also highlighted the success of the city’s rainwater harvesting initiative, saying that a substantial volume of rainwater has been collected in dedicated storage ponds. “We currently have 13 rainwater ponds in operation, ten of which were built under the current provincial administration,” he noted. The stored water is being used for irrigating greenbelts and trees, among other purposes.
Addressing one of the city’s most flood-prone areas, he said that the water drainage time at Lakshami Chowk has been reduced from 24 hours to just three, thanks to infrastructure improvements.
Commenting on regional climate patterns, Mr. Ahmad explained that South Asian countries, including Pakistan, typically receive intense, short-duration rainfall, unlike the light drizzles in Europe, where rainwater accumulation is rarely an issue. “Our challenge lies in dealing with heavy downpours over short periods, which can quickly overwhelm drainage systems,” he said.
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