Five die in Lahore as rains lash country

LAHORE: Five people, including children, were killed in separate accidents during a heavy downpour in areas in and around Lahore on Friday.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, the most rain was recorded in the Lakshmi Chowk area, at 161 millimetres. Several areas across the Lahore city were flooded with rainwater. However, the water was cleared in most of the city soon after it stopped pouring, except for the low-lying spots where the streets and roads remained inundated. The Lahore deputy commissioner came out with long boots on and monitored the situation in the city. Over a 100 Lahore Electric Supply Company feeders were tripped during the rain. The heavy rains resulted in the collapse of a house’s roof in Kahna which left three children dead. In addition to this, another person was killed due to a lightning strike in Kasur, while a man was electrocuted to death in Okara. Meanwhile, six animals were also killed due to electrocution and lightening strikes in Sherakot, Manga Mandi. Cars parked in the streets of Sector F-11 and Margala Town areas of Islamabad floated in the rainwater after heavy rains in the city. Similar scenes unfolded in Rawalpindi where the water level exceeded 15 feet in Lai Nullah near Gawal Mandi. Rainwater collected in various areas across the city after up to 77mm rain in the city two days ago stood still on some roads. Earlier in the day, the Met Dept had predicted light rain with thunderstorm in the city over the next 24 hours. The weather department said that the city will likely experience a partly overcast condition over the next 24 hours, adding that temperature may range from a minimum 26.5°C to a maximum of 32-34°C.