LAHORE: Incidents of electrocution claimed the lives of five people, including two children, in various parts of the city during Wednesday’s heavy rainfall.

The relentless downpour wreaked havoc on daily life, causing urban flooding and extensive traffic jams throughout different areas of Lahore.

As per the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa), the highest recorded rainfall was 90mm at the Tajpura SDO office, followed by 59.25mm at the airport, 55mm in Nishter Town, 51mm in Upper Mall, 44mm in Lakshmi Chowk, 32mm in Gulberg, 30mm in Johar Town, 24.25mm on Jail Road, 22mm in Iqbal Town and Qurtaba Chowk, 19mm in Gulshan-i-Ravi, and 18mm in Samanabad.

Five people died due to electrocution incidents in different parts of the city. In Charar village, 10-year-old Saifullah and 12-year-old Zubair were electrocuted when they came into contact with an electric pole.

According to Rescue 1122, Ejaz was electrocuted by a switchboard in the OPF Society in Raiwind. An unidentified person was electrocuted in the Thokar Niaz Baig area. In yet another incident, 30-year-old Ashraf was electrocuted in Main Bazaar of Qalandarpura.

The bodies were handed over to their families after the completion of necessary legal procedures.

Furthermore, the heavy rainfall disrupted the electricity system, leaving people without power for extended periods.

Despite the power outages, officials from the Lahore Electric Supply Company were not available to address the situation caused by the rain. Numerous feeders experienced tripping due to short circuits during the downpour.

Published in Dawn, July 20th, 2023