A record-breaking amount of rain inundated Pakistan’s city of Lahore, causing flooding in homes and hospitals. The city experienced 353 millimeters of rain in just a few hours, surpassing a previous record set in 1980. The Pakistan Meteorological Department described the rainfall as unprecedented for the region.
Schools and offices closed in Lahore
One fatality has been reported due to electrocution in Lahore, prompting the city’s commissioner to declare a state of emergency. Schools and offices remained shut as cleanup efforts took place. Heavy rainfall also affected hospitals and streets in the city, disrupting normal activities.
Elsewhere in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, heavy rain claimed 24 lives. The extreme weather has been linked to climate change, emphasizing the need for climate action. Nearby in India, over 180 people died in landslides triggered by heavy rains in Kerala.
Despite the monsoon season bringing regular rainfall, this year’s events have been particularly severe, highlighting the urgent need for climate resilience measures.
rm/wmr (Reuters, AFP)