ISLAMABAD: A night of torrential rainfall wreaked havoc in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, causing severe urban flooding and pushing the water level in Nullah Lai river to dangerous heights. Authorities declared a rain emergency as floodwaters inundated low lying areas, disrupting daily life across the twin cities.
The downpour, which began around 12:30 am and continued until early morning, raised Nullah Lai’s level to 16 feet at Katarian Bridge and 12.5 feet in Gawalmandi before gradually receding. Teams from the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) were deployed across vulnerable zones as part of emergency response efforts.
According to the Meteorological Department, Islamabad’s Saidpur recorded 87mm of rainfall, while New Katarian received 75mm and Gawalmandi 42mm. Heavy showers also lashed Murree, Galyat, Azad Kashmir, and Hassan Abdal, bringing relief from the prolonged heatwave but triggering flash floods in multiple areas.
In Hassan Abdal, tragedy struck when a Vigo van carrying 10 passengers was swept away by a seasonal stream near Jhari Kass. While five were rescued, four women and a child remain missing as rescue teams continue search operations.
Meanwhile, Bhimber district witnessed overflowing rivers and streams, prompting authorities to impose strict safety measures. The Deputy Commissioner warned that anyone attempting to cross flooded roads would face arrest, while collecting firewood from floodwaters has been banned to prevent accidents.
Despite rainfall easing in the morning, officials cautioned that the situation remains critical. The Met Office has forecast further thunderstorms and rain across northern Pakistan, including Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, central Punjab, and Islamabad. Southern regions, however, are expected to remain hot and humid with little relief in sight.
