LAHORE: As many as six people were reported killed in rain-related accidents in the city as heavy downpour continued all day on Tuesday, flooding major roads and streets and bringing life to a standstill. In view of the prevailing weather situation, the National Disaster Management Authority sent out a monsoon alert, warning that more rainfall was expected in the next 48 to 72 hours. According to the NDMA alert, there could be flooding in the River Ravi and areas connected to it. The alert also said that there could be urban flooding in Rawalpindi. Of the six deaths reported from Lahore, four were because of electric shocks and two in roof collapse incidents. According to Rescue 1122, two people were killed as the roof of their warehouse collapsed in Gumti bazaar. Another person died of an electric shock in China Scheme area of Gujar Pura. Rescue officials further said that three others were injured in a roof collapse accident in China Scheme. Separately, three people were reported killed on Monday night due to electric shock in two rain-related accidents. Two of these deaths were reported from Riwaz Garden, while the third from Qurtaba Chowk, in the Old City area. The deceased were identified as Amanat and Shazaib in Riwaz Garden and Akber at Qurtaba Chowk. Met Office recorded the level of rainfall in the city areas at 252 millimetres. While heavy downpours continued all day, rainfall had receded to sporadic drizzles by the evening on Tuesday. As many as 150 electricity feeders were reported tripped in the city, leaving many different areas in darkness. According to Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) officials, work was still underway to restore electricity feeders by the time the report was filed. Traffic jams and broken down automobiles were reported from various areas of the city as roads remained flooded, particularly in low-lying areas of the city. A warning was also given out for Lahore airport due to weather conditions, stating that routine flight operations could be affected. Several residents of the city took to the social media to slam the lack of preparations and the failed drainage system as main roads and underpasses got flooded following heavy downpour. A video of a large sinkhole appearing on The Mall near GPO Chowk became viral in minutes, attracting condemnation from social media users angry over what they maintained was poor planning on the part of the government. The sinkhole along the track of the Orange Line Metro Train could be seen filled with rainwater. Not only the Old City, but the posh areas of the Punjab capital were also inundated In Gujranwala, rainwater accumulated at the DHQ hospital, flooding main wards. Hospital officials said work was underway to clear the water and restore normal operations. Rainfall was reported from several other Punjab cities as well. Met Office has forecast more rain in the next two days. In its country-wide forecast, the Pakistan Met Department has forecast rain along with thundershower with gusty winds in Hazara, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sargodha and Faisalabad divisions along with Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). Isolated showers can also be expected in Malakand, Peshawar, Kohat, Bannu, DI Khan and Sahiwal, while hot and dry weather is expected elsewhere in the country. Published in Daily Times, July 4th 2018.