LAHORE: Heavy rain and hailstorm lashed several parts of the provincial capital on Wednesday, inundating low-lying areas and disrupting traffic flow on major thoroughfares.

On Sunday, the Pakistan Meteorological Department had predicted rain in the upper parts of the country, including Lahore, from May 10 to 12.

Heavy rainfall caused major road blockages across the city, leading to severe traffic jams. The worst congestion was reported on Canal Road, Ferozepur Road, The Mall, Liberty Roundabout, Gurumangat Road and Mini Market.

The commuters also faced difficulties in Shadman, Jail Road and Gulberg’s Main Boulevard while traffic remained gridlocked from Mughalpura to Lal Pul.

According to Lahore Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) data recorded at 6:35pm, Lakshmi Chowk received the highest rainfall with 95mm. It was followed by Paniwala Talab (79mm), Saggian (53.2mm), Gulshan-i-Ravi (45.8mm), Jail Road (44mm), Tajpura (41.2mm), Nakhuda Chowk (40.2mm), Samanabad (37.4mm), Wasa Head Office, Gulberg (34.4mm), Airport (33.9mm), Iqbal Town (25.6mm), Upper Mall (26mm), Farrukhabad (20mm), Shadipura (11.2mm), Johar Town (8.4mm), Mughalpura (7mm), and Nishtar Town (5.8mm). The average rainfall recorded across the Lahore region was 34mm.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has advised citizens to take precautionary measures and urged them to stay away from electric poles and wires.Meanwhile, PDMA Director General Omar Javed directed the district administration to ensure efficient drainage of rainwater from affected areas.

Talking to the media, Wasa Managing Director Ghufran Ahmed said emergency teams would remain deployed across the city to clear choked drains and facilitate the drainage.

He also visited several parts of the city, including Lakshmi Chowk, to monitor drainage operations, along with Wasa Director General Tayyab Fareed and Punjab Housing, Urban Development & Public Health Engineering Minister Bilal Yasin.

Moreover, Wasa Vice Chairman Chaudhry Shahbaz Ahmad visited the monsoon control room at the Wasa office and directed that all disposal stations should be kept fully operational and that field teams ensure immediate drainage of rainwater from low-lying areas.

He said citizens should be provided with adequate drainage facilities, directing all officers and staff to remain present in the field during the monsoon.

He also issued instructions for special monitoring of Lakshmi Chowk, Garhi Shahu, The Mall, and other low-lying areas.

Deputy Commissioner retired Capt Muhammad Ali Ijaz alos visited different roads of the city to monitor drainage operation.

He visited McLeod Road, Mozang, Lawrence Road and Waris Road and ordered the field teams to clear the water immediately. He also asked the teams to call for extra machinery to drain water from underpasses and roads to provide clear roads to the citizens.

A PDMA spokesperson said the rain was caused due to local clouds and they did not have forecast it. He said the weather was facing unexpected and unpredicted situations and administrations were already cautioned about it.

Published in Dawn, May 14th, 2026