Torrential rain in Lahore has affected the power transmission system, with more than 150 feeders of the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) tripping and causing power outages in several areas.
The tripping has disrupted electricity supply across various parts of the city, while several incidents of transformers burning out have also been reported due to the rain.
Consumers are facing prolonged power outages because of technical faults in the electricity distribution system.
Meanwhile, the pleasant change in weather has led to a significant decline in electricity demand. LESCO’s current demand stands at around 2,050 megawatts, while supply has reached 3,500 megawatts. The company is currently operating the system at a load of 1,700 megawatts.
Due to the drop in demand, LESCO has around 1,500 megawatts of surplus electricity available.
On the othe other hand, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast heavy rainfall in several parts of the country and warned of possible urban flooding in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. According to the PMD, heavy rain is expected in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and adjoining areas over the next 12 to 36 hours. Rain, strong winds and thunderstorms are likely to continue in the upper parts of the country, with heavy to very heavy rainfall expected at some locations.
The department has warned that heavy rainfall could cause urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Similar risks have been identified in Jhelum, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Sialkot and Narowal. Heavy rainfall in Murree, Galiyat, Pothohar and other hilly areas may also trigger flash floods in local streams and nullahs, as well as landslides.
The PMD said the current weather system is being influenced by a westerly wave affecting the upper parts of the country, along with moisture-laden winds from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. In view of the threat of urban flooding, the Rawalpindi administration has placed relevant departments on high alert.