According to the PMD, rainfall measurements include 35 mm in Nishtar Town, 29.4 mm in Johar Town and 11.4 mm in Gulberg
LAHORE:
Heavy rain accompanied by hailstorms and strong winds disrupted routine life in Lahore on Tuesday, flooding low-lying areas, triggering widespread power outages and leading to the abandonment of a key part of the Pakistan Super League.
Persistent rain forced the PSL management to abandon the match between Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi at the Gaddafi Stadium, with ground staff covering the pitch and outfield with protective layers.
Across the city, heavy downpour was reported in Gulberg, Kalma Chowk, Ferozepur Road, Nishtar Town, Wapda Town, Township, Johar Town and surrounding areas. The rainfall brought a noticeable drop in temperature and improved weather conditions, but also led to significant urban flooding in several localities.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, rainfall measurements included 35 millimeters in Nishtar Town, 29.4 mm in Johar Town, 11.4 mm in Gulberg and minor accumulations across Jail Road, Samanabad, Iqbal Town and other areas. Hail was also reported in parts of the city including Shimla Pahari.
The rainwater accumulation once again exposed Lahore’s drainage vulnerability as streets in low-lying areas were submerged, slowing traffic and creating dangerous conditions for commuters.
“Even moderate rain floods our entire street,” said Mughalpura resident Adil Butt. “Water enters the home quickly and takes hours to recede.”
Motorists also reported serious difficulties. “You can’t see holes under the water and the traffic just collapses,” said a China Scheme commuter. “It becomes risky even to ride a motorcycle.”
The storm also affected power supply, with more than 100 feeders tripped across the city. Lahore Electric Supply Company officials said the outages were caused by sudden system load and weather-related faults, adding that restoration efforts were underway.
The ongoing weather pattern is part of a broader system affecting multiple regions. The Pakistan Meteorological Department said a westerly wave is expected to further affect weather conditions, with more rain and thundershowers likely in Lahore and other parts of Punjab over the coming days.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Authority has issued a high alert forecasting rain, wind and thunderstorms across the country from March 31 to April 5. The authority warned that heavy spells could trigger flood-like situations in parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, with isolated hailstorms also expected.
Rain is forecast at intervals in Islamabad and several Punjab cities, including Rawalpindi, Murree, Gujrat, Sialkot and Lahore, while the southern districts may also receive scattered showers. Authorities have warned that worsening weather conditions could disrupt transport and damage fragile infrastructure.
Despite a brief drop in temperatures providing some relief, the recent rainy season has once again exposed the city’s persistent shortcomings in stormwater management.
Experts warned that without significant upgrades to drainage infrastructure – especially in low-lying areas – even routine seasonal rainfall was likely to continue to disrupt urban mobility and bring daily life to a standstill. The warning underscored long-standing concerns about the city’s preparedness to deal with increasingly unpredictable weather patterns.
