Heavy rain accompanied by strong winds swept across Lahore on Sunday, prompting civic authorities to activate emergency drainage operations while motorway officials urged motorists to exercise heightened caution due to hazardous driving conditions.
The Lahore Commissioner, Nauman Yousaf, directed teams from the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), Metropolitan Corporation Lahore (MCL), and Lahore Development Authority (LDA) to remain deployed across the city. Assistant Commissioners were instructed to personally supervise drainage work in their respective tehsils, ensure uninterrupted traffic flow on major roads and underpasses, and keep personnel from the Central Business District (CBD) and Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) on standby.
He further ordered that disposal stations affected by electricity outages be switched immediately to generator power to maintain uninterrupted pumping operations. WASA Town Directors were also instructed to continuously monitor the evolving situation and respond promptly wherever required.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, rainfall was recorded in several parts of the provincial capital, including Nishtar Town, Johar Town, Gulberg, Lawrence Road, Mazang, Mall Road, Lakshmi Chowk and Nabha Road, bringing cooler and more pleasant weather.
Official rainfall measurements showed Farrukhabad received the highest precipitation at 18.2 millimetres, followed by Saggian with 17.4 mm, Tajpura with 14.6 mm and Pani Wala Tala in the Walled City with 12.4 mm.
Meanwhile, a Motorway Police spokesperson said rain was reported at multiple locations on the M-2 Motorway between Kot Momin and Thokar Niaz Baig, while showers continued along the Lahore-Sialkot Motorway from the Main Toll Plaza to Sambrial. Cloudy conditions also persisted on the M-3 Motorway between Faizpur and Nankana.
The spokesperson advised motorists to drive carefully as wet roads had become slippery. Drivers were urged to reduce speed, maintain a safe distance from other vehicles, avoid unnecessary overtaking, refrain from sudden braking and observe lane discipline throughout their journey.
Motorists were also advised to ensure that headlights and windscreen wipers were functioning properly, wear seat belts at all times and contact the Motorway Police Helpline at **130** in case of any emergency.