Lahore, the capital of Pakistan’s Punjab province, was swamped by heavy rains on Monday, June 26, 2023. The downpour caused widespread flooding and damage, turning parts of the city into an urban swamp.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said that Lahore received 260 mm of rain in six hours, breaking the previous record of 98 mm set in 2011. The heavy rain also caused widespread flooding in other parts of Punjab, including Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, and Sargodha.
The flooding in Lahore caused widespread damage to homes and businesses. Many roads were also impassable, and traffic was brought to a standstill. The authorities have evacuated thousands of people from their homes and are providing them with food and shelter.
The PMD has warned that more rain is expected in the coming days and has urged people to be prepared.
Impact of the flooding
The flooding in Lahore has had a significant impact on the city. Here are some of the impacts:
Damage to homes and businesses:
Many homes and businesses were damaged by the flooding. In some cases, entire buildings were destroyed.
Inaccessible roads:
Many roads were impassable due to the flooding. This caused traffic chaos and made it difficult for emergency services to reach affected areas.
Evacuations:
The authorities have evacuated thousands of people from their homes. The displaced people are being provided with food and shelter.
Damage to infrastructure:
The flooding also damaged infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and power lines. This has caused widespread disruption to essential services.
Reactions to the flooding
The flooding in Lahore has been met with a mixture of reactions. Some people have expressed anger and frustration at the authorities for not doing more to prevent the flooding. Others have praised the authorities for their response to the flooding.
What can be done to prevent future flooding?
The flooding in Lahore is a reminder of the vulnerability of cities to extreme weather events. The authorities need to take steps to improve the city’s drainage system and to make it more resilient to flooding.