Flooding hits Pakistan’s city of Lahore after record rainfall

Pakistan’s cultural city of Lahore witnessed record-high rain early on Thursday morning, leaving at least one person dead as both streets and hospitals were flooded. 

According to the National Disaster Management Authority, the downpour started before dawn and is expected to continue for a week at intervals. The rains will also likely cause flash flooding and landslides. 

Other cities, such as Islamabad and areas throughout the country, were also affected. The rainfall was so intense that it quickly flooded Lahore’s streets and entered some wards in the Jinnah and Services hospitals, causing many problems for staff and patients. 

Police have confirmed that at least one person has died after being electrocuted in the Nishat Colony neighbourhood.  

According to the water and sanitation agency, some areas within the city experienced a record-high 14 inches of rainfall in just a few hours, breaking the 44-year-old record in Lahore.  

The drainage systems quickly became overwhelmed with the rain, flooding several residential areas. Dozens of residents also reported rainwater entering their homes. 

Pakistan is still recovering from the devastating floods of 2022, which affected 33 million people and killed 1,739. Still, weather forecasters have speculated that the level of rain will not reach the intensity of the 2022 floods. 

Earlier this year, Pakistan also recorded its wettest April since 1961, with more than double the expected rainfall. Weather forecasters and scientists have blamed climate change for the hefty monsoon rains.