Downpour: Rain dampens Independence Day excitement

The rain began in several parts of the city at around 6am. According to the Met office, 172mm rain has been recorded so far.

The roof of a house in Bhekewal caved in resulting in the death of Shahid, 23. His relatives Sabir, Shahid, Noor Bibi and Amjad were injured.

Talha, 5, received an electric shock while playing in rainwater in Mustafabad, Dharampura.

Rabia, 8, died and her father Shakeel and a sister were injured when the roof of their house in Sherakot collapsed.

Ashfaq and Tasleem and two others were injured when the roof of their house in Singhpura caved in.

Amanat and Wajid were also injured when the roof of their house in Sabzazar collapsed.

A man was injured when a wall in Akbari Mandi collapsed due to rain.

Life in the City came to a standstill due to the pouring rain as rainwater turned many streets into streams.

The city’s temperature dropped to 23 degree Celsius. Independence Day celebrations were marred because of the rain as most roads looked deserted and patriotic fervour appeared to be at an all time low. Rainwater submerged several low-lying areas including Mughalpura, Dharampura, Do Moria Puk, Haji Camp, Empress Road, Lakshmi Chowk, Gaddafi Stadium, Cavalry Ground, Nisbet Road, Bhatti Chowk and Davis Road.

According to the Met Office, 172mm, 156mm, 140mm, 116mm and 61mm rain was recorded at Lahore Fort, Shahadara, Jail Road, Upper Mall, Misri Shah and the Airport respectively.

Several underpasses were inundated bringing traffic there to a standstill. As many as 37 Lesco feeders tripped causing massive power outages.

The Met Office has predicted pouring rain in central and southern regions of the country. Heavy rainfall has been forecast for DG Khan, Bahawalpur, Multan and Sahiwal, Eastern Balochistan (Kalat, Sibbi, Zhob and Naseerabad divisions) and Upper Sindh (Sukkur and Larkana divisions) on Thursday and Friday.

Scattered rain has been forecast for other areas.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 15^th, 2013.