A severe thunderstorm in Pakistan caused major power outages across Lahore, Kasur, and Sheikhupura leaving major swathes of the population in complete darkness for hours after nearly 300 electricity feeders failed.
According to the media reports, strong winds, heavy rain, and hailstorms damaged electric poles, transformers, cables, and other power infrastructure, leaving many areas without electricity for several hours.
The prolonged outages triggered widespread public anger over the incompetence of utility managers. Residents expressed frustration over delayed responses from the Electric Supply Company. The systemic collapse was not isolated to a few pockets but paralysed nearly the entire provincial capital.
The outages also disrupted water supply services, as water pumps and tube wells stopped working due to the lack of electricity. However, officials admitted that the full extent of the damage and losses is still being assessed.
Compounding the misery, poor urban planning and choked drainage systems resulted in heavy rainwater inundating primary roads, low-lying localities, and critical underpasses, severely disrupting traffic and exposing the lack of municipal preparedness in the face of seasonal weather.