RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD: Heavy rainfall lashed Rawalpindi and Islamabad from early morning, inundating low-lying areas and causing water levels in Nullah Lai and seasonal streams to rise, prompting authorities to declare a rain emergency across the twin cities.
The district administration placed the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) and other relevant departments on high alert, while continuous monitoring of drainage channels and flood-prone areas remained underway.
According to the Flood Control Room, an average of 54.51 millimetres of rainfall was recorded across the Nullah Lai basin. The highest rainfall of 103mm was recorded at Kutchery Chaklala, followed by Shamsabad with 71mm, Saidpur Village 67mm, PMD H-8 63mm, Pirwadhai 60mm, New Katarian 58mm, Golra 51mm and Bokra 41mm.
Water levels in Nullah Lai reached 10 feet at Katarian and nine feet at Gawalmandi, prompting authorities to issue a pre-alert for Gawalmandi. Officials said a pre-alert would also be issued at Katarian if the water level reached 11.4 feet.
Heavy rain left three to four feet of water standing in several low-lying localities, including Sadiqabad, Dhoke Khabba, Dhoke Elahi Bakhsh, Arya Mohalla, Nadeem Colony, Pirwadhai, Fauji Colony, Dhoke Hassu and Peoples Colony. Floodwater also entered several homes, causing difficulties for residents.
Waterlogging disrupted traffic on several major roads, including Committee Chowk, Kutchery Chowk, Rahimabad Underpass, Murree Road, Mall Road, Peshawar Road and Saddar.
In Islamabad’s Bhara Kahu area, rainwater entered several houses, damaging household belongings and causing hardship for residents. Flooded streets and roads disrupted daily life, while residents complained that the area faced similar problems after every spell of rain and that no permanent solution had yet been implemented.
Residents said they were removing water from their homes on their own, adding that relief operations by the district administration and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) had yet to begin.
Meanwhile, a child was swept into a drain during the rain in Friends Colony on Misryal Road in Rawalpindi. Rescue 1122 teams reached the scene and launched a search operation. Rescue officials said eyewitnesses reported that the child fell into the drain while playing.
WASA Managing Director Azizullah Khan said staff and heavy machinery had been deployed at Liaquat Bagh, Committee Chowk Underpass, Murree Road, Sadiqabad and other vulnerable locations. He added that field officers were personally supervising drainage operations to minimise inconvenience to the public.
WASA urged citizens not to throw garbage into drains or open manhole covers and advised them to immediately contact the WASA helpline in case of an emergency.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast more rainfall in the twin cities, with relevant authorities directed to remain on alert in view of the expected weather conditions.
