LAHORE: Hours of torrential rain have triggered severe flooding in Lahore, submerging thousands of homes and affecting millions in Pakistan’s second-largest city, residents said.
The extreme monsoon weather has caused widespread damage. Residents say it is the worst flooding this year as authorities issue monsoon weather warnings across the country.
At least 78 people have been killed and 197 injured in rain-related incidents since the onset of monsoon season late last month, according to the National Disaster Management Authority.
Monsoon showers battered Pakistan’s second-largest city early Thursday flooding homes and shops in several areas.
“Whenever it rains, as you can see in front of you, water accumulates here to a depth of nearly six feet. As a result, no customers come to our shops, causing difficulties to our businesses and losses. We are unable to go home and remain stranded here for hours,” Raheel, a shopkeeper who only gave his first name, told AFP.
“Right now, the entire market is effectively shut down because of the rainfall earlier this morning. You can see that truck, it has broken down after getting stuck in the floodwater. Because of the flood, it couldn’t get through and has stalled right there.”
Authorities have warned that the second spell of monsoon rains would continue in the country until July 24, raising water levels in several rivers and increasing the risk of flooding.
Stranded residents appealed to the authorities to have the rainwater drained as soon as possible.
“Electricity has only just been restored, yet all of these shops remain flooded with water,” said Muhammad Imran, a milk seller.
“We urge the government to remove the accumulated water as quickly as possible so that businesses can resume normal operations. We are facing extremely difficult circumstances and sincerely appeal for assistance.”
Residents of low-lying areas say their homes and shops are flooded every monsoon.
“The government should take timely measures to drain the water after rainfall to prevent such condition in the future,” Imran said.
