The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a flood alert as heavy rains continue across the country. Over the past 24 hours, significant rainfall has been reported in various regions of Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
The PMD has predicted more rain, accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms, over the next 24 hours in areas including Sindh, northeastern and southern Punjab, eastern Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pothohar, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Torrential rain is particularly expected in Sindh, northeastern Punjab, and eastern Balochistan, raising concerns of flash floods in several regions. A flood warning has been issued for areas such as Dera Ghazi Khan, Koh-e-Suleman, Harnai, Sibi, Jhal Magsi, Kohlu, Naseerabad, Mastung, Kalat, Kharan, Jaffarabad, Zhob, Bolan, Khuzdar, Barkhan, Lasbela, Awaran, Dadu, Murree Galyat, Mansehra, Kohistan, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Nowshera, Swabi, northeastern Punjab, and Kashmir due to potential flash flooding in local rivers, streams, and mountainous regions.
The ongoing heavy rains also threaten to cause flooding in low-lying areas of lower Sindh, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Sialkot, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Nowshera, and Peshawar.
On Saturday evening, Lahore and its surrounding areas experienced rainfall that brought relief from the intense heat but also led to widespread disruptions. The showers, ranging from light to moderate intensity, affected numerous localities, including Lakshmi Chowk, Shimla Pahari, Shahdara, Davis Road, Misri Shah, The Mall, Chauburji, Johar Town, Township, Green Town, Iqbal Town, Gulberg, Mozang, Ferozepur Road, Ichhra, and Samanabad.
According to reports, the heaviest downpour was recorded at Shahi Qilla with 50mm, followed by Iqbal Town with 46mm, Lakshmi Chowk with 38mm, Tajpura with 37mm, and Shahdara with 35mm. Other areas also experienced significant rainfall, including Gulberg (33mm), Upper Mall (32mm), Township (31mm), Punjab University (30mm), Misri Shah (27mm), Johar Town (26mm), Mughalpura (23mm), Gulshan-e-Ravi (23mm), and Samanabad (22mm). While the rain brought a welcome relief from the recent heatwave, it also led to power outages in many areas, causing widespread inconvenience.
Additionally, the heavy rainfall resulted in severe waterlogging in low-lying areas, creating major challenges for commuters.
