Rawalpindi (HRNW)- Intermittent heavy rainfall since early morning has inundated low-lying areas of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, while the water level in Nala Lai and other rainwater drains continues to rise, prompting the district administration to declare a rain emergency and place all relevant agencies, including WASA, on high alert.
According to the Flood Control Room, an average of 54.51 mm of rainfall was recorded in the Nala Lai basin. The highest rainfall of 103 mm was recorded in Kachhari Chaklala, followed by 71 mm in Shamsabad, 67 mm in Saidpur Village, 63 mm in PMDH-8, 60 mm in Pirodhai, 58 mm in New Katarian, 51 mm in Golra, and 41 mm in Bokhra.
The water level in Nala Lai reached 10 feet at Katarian and 9 feet at Golmandi, after which a pre-alert was issued for Golmandi. The administration said a higher alert will be issued if the water level reaches 11.4 feet at Katarian, while continuous monitoring of Nala Lai and other storm drains is underway.
Heavy rainfall caused three to four feet of water to accumulate in several low-lying localities, including Sadiqabad, Dhok Khaba, Dhok Elahi Bakhsh, Arya Mohalla, Nadeem Colony, Pirodhai, Fauji Colony, Dhok Hasso, and Peoples Colony, with rainwater entering several homes.
Traffic was severely disrupted on Committee Chowk, Kacheri Chowk, Rahimabad Underpass, Murree Road, Mall Road, Peshawar Road, Saddar, and other major roads due to widespread waterlogging.
In Bhara Kahu, Islamabad, rainwater entered several houses, damaging household belongings and disrupting normal life. Residents complained that flooding recurs after every spell of heavy rain and said a permanent solution has yet to be implemented. Citizens were seen removing water from their homes on their own, while they claimed relief operations by the district administration and CDA had not yet begun.
Meanwhile, a child drowned in a rainwater drain in Friends Colony on Misrial Road, Rawalpindi. Rescue 1122 teams launched a search operation after eyewitnesses reported that the child fell into the drain while playing.
MD WASA Azizullah Khan said WASA personnel and heavy machinery have been deployed at Liaquat Bagh, Committee Chowk Underpass, Murree Road, Sadiqabad, and other vulnerable locations. He added that field officers are personally supervising drainage operations to minimize public inconvenience.
WASA has urged citizens not to throw garbage into drains or sewers, avoid opening manhole covers, and immediately contact the WASA helpline in case of any emergency.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, more rainfall is expected in the twin cities, and all relevant authorities have been directed to remain on high alert.
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