Lahore (Web Desk): At least 18 people, including women and children, were killed on Thursday when rain lashed different cities of Punjab and Azad Kashmir.
Heavy rain occurred in Lahore late on Wednesday and continued intermittently till Thursday, deluging roads and streets of the city.
Eight people were killed in two separate incidents of roof collapse in Lahore.
The overnight downpours submerged low-lying areas of Lahore including Wasanpura, Garhi Shahu, Garden Town, Ferozpur Road, Mall Road, Gulberg and Iqbal Town.
Rain/thunderstorm also lashed other cities of Punjab, including Sialkot, Gujranwala, Narowal, Kamoni, Gujranwala, Faisalabad and Sahiwal where roof collapse incidents and electrocution killed nearly a dozen people.
Heavy rain also occurred in Azad Kashmir.
Rain emergency has been declared in the province as local administration has been put on high alert to kick off rescue efforts and prevent rain-related casualties.
According to Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), at least 123mm precipitation was recorded in Lahore and its adjoining areas during last 12 hours.
Speaking to Samaa, chief meteorologist Muhammad Riaz said the rainfall is likely to continue for next 24 hours.
He said the rain is likely to trigger high flooding in Jhelum and Sutlej rivers of Punjab.
Other than Punjab, the PMD has also forecast rain in Sindh, Kashmir and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
