Lahore - A powerful rainstorm lashed the Punjab metropolis yesternight, largely proving to be a blessing for the citizens in the fasting month of Ramazan.

Stormy winds uprooted trees, damaged fragile dwellings and caused power shutdowns across the city, while torrential rains turned many areas with poor drainage into ponds.

However, the cloudburst broke a prolonged spell of scorching heat marked with temperatures rising as high as 47 degree centigrade.

The city's record high temperature was 48.3 °C (118.9 °F), recorded on May 30, 1944. The second highest, 48 °C (118 °F) was recorded on June 10, 2007.

This wet spell as forecast by the Met Department earlier this week is likely to continue for three days with short intervals.

Strong winds started blowing a little short of midnight followed by heavy downpour that forced electricity breakdowns in several parts of Lahore with Lesco staff unable to carry out repairs due to inclement weather condition. According to Lesco spokesman, over 200 feeders tripped down.

According to Islamabad Observatory and Met Office in Lahore, the windstorm was recorded at 60 kilometers an hour, uprooting a large number of trees and making tin-rooftops fly like newspaper sheets.

The stormy rain made slum areas look miserable with two to three feet rainwater standing on roads and streets.

The worst-hit areas included Misri Shah, Shad Bagh, Wassanpur, Tezab Hatta, Lakshmi Chowk, parts of Macleod Road, Garahi Shahu, Saddar, Harikay Road, Nisbat Road, Temple Road, Mozang Chungi, Waris Road, and some patches of The Mall Road.

According to PIA’s flight inquiry, neither any international incoming flight was diverted not departure of any flight was delayed during the rain.

“It is a lean time in domestic and international flight schedule. However, if rains continue for another hour, the schedule is likely to be affected and may cause delay in arrival and departure of flights”, said an on-duty PIA official.

The density of rain was so high and strength of winds so powerful that it forced the traffic on city roads to a halt. Pedestrians and bikers rush for shelters. Luckily, no fatal road accident was reported.

The Met Office has reported heavy downpours in several parts of northern and central Punjab during the next 48 hours. Earlier, it reported heavy thunderstorm and rain in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Wednesday and early Thursday.

Agricultural experts said the current wet spell is good for forthcoming sowing season, adding that there was no danger to the crops since wheat crop has already been cut and thrashed.

Since weather pundits have already predicted more than average rains during the current Monsoon season, there is a danger of heavy flooding in country’s rivers with main reservoirs already filled to their capacity - enabling the power houses to generate enhanced amounts of electricity.

The Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed all relevant departments to start their operations for minimising damage in villages on both sides of the rivers and big canals.