Heavy overnight rainfall in Rawalpindi and Islamabad triggered a high alert from the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), which has declared a rain emergency due to fears of water accumulation in low-lying areas. The agency mobilized teams with heavy machinery to ensure prompt drainage in vulnerable zones.
WASA Managing Director Muhammad Saleem Ashraf said machinery was swiftly dispatched to Committee Chowk Underpass and Murree Road as soon as the rain started. The agency remains on high alert, actively monitoring critical points and maintaining coordination with all relevant departments.
Also Read: Rain Brings Relief from Scorching Heatwave Across Pakistan
According to the Meteorological Department, Saidpur recorded the highest rainfall at 80 mm, followed by 40 mm at PMD, 20 mm at Shamsabad, and 15 mm at Pirwadhai. In the catchment area of Nullah Lai, Saidpur experienced 80 mm of rain in just one hour, though the water flow currently remains under control.
The water level at Katarian in Nullah Lai surged to 11 feet but later receded to 5 feet, with a similar pattern observed at Gawalmandi Bridge. Citizens have been urged to stay clear of flood-prone areas and to contact WASA’s helpline in case of emergencies.
Nationwide, flash floods and heavy rains have claimed 64 lives and injured 117 over the past week, according to the National Disaster Management Authority. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has been hit the hardest with 23 deaths, followed by Punjab with 21, Sindh with 15, and Balochistan with 5 fatalities.
