LAHORE: A Pakistani man rides on his horse cart through a flooded square after heavy rains in Lahore.-AFP

LAHORE: The heaviest rains in 38 years have turned roads into virtual rivers in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore, stranding motorists and leaving at least six people dead, an official said yesterday. Roof collapses killed at least four people and two others were electrocuted in rain-related incidents, said Jam Sajjad Hussain, spokesman for the Rescue 1122 service. "Rescue officials using boats saved several persons in the outskirts of Lahore who were stranded in water," Hussain said.

Motorists said journeys that normally took five minutes were taking up to two hours because of flooded roads. "Whatever road you go on, it is filled with water. We are extremely distressed," motorcyclist Ahmed Shahzad said. Lahore recorded 214 millimeters (8.4 inches)of rain in the 24 hours up to 8 am yesterday, the heaviest in 38 years, Pakistan's chief meteorologist Muhammad Riaz said. He said a monsoon system would bring continued heavy rains for the next 24 to 48 hours.-- Reuters