Heavy rain lashed Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Wednesday morning, triggering an alarming rise in the water level of Lai Nullah and forcing residents to leave their homes, according to Independent News Pakistan (INP). The downpour, which began late Tuesday night and continued into the morning hours, caused water levels at Katarian to reach 21 feet while Gawalmandi recorded over 17 feet, per INP reporting. Meanwhile, The Nation reported that Katarian reached 22 feet and Gawalmandi hit 19 feet, with flood warning sirens activated across the twin cities as authorities moved residents away from vulnerable areas.
Rainfall Measurements Across the Twin Cities
Rainfall totals varied significantly across different sectors of the federal capital and Rawalpindi. According to INP, the E-11 sector near Golrra recorded 113 millimeters of rain, while The Nation reported that Golra recorded 114 millimeters. Additional measurements from INP included 71 millimeters at Saidpur village, 57 millimeters at PMD H-8/2, 59 millimeters at New Katarian, 51 millimeters at Pir Wadhai, 45 millimeters each at Bokra, Shamsabad, and Gawalmandi, and 33 millimeters at Chaklala. The Nation similarly detailed that New Katarian received 59 millimeters, Pirwadhai recorded 51 millimeters, Shamsabad and Gawalmandi each saw 45 millimeters, and around 33 millimeters fell near Kacheri-Chaklala, bringing the twin cities’ average rainfall to roughly 76 millimeters.
Emergency Response and Public Safety Advisories
Rescue teams took positions around Nullah Lai as district administration teams constantly monitored low-lying areas, INP reported. Authorities urged citizens to avoid crossing streams and nullahs, keep children away from electric wires and poles, maintain slow vehicle speeds, stay away from weak structures, and avoid visiting tourist resorts. Residents were advised to dial the 1122 helpline in an emergency. Furthermore, The Nation noted that the Rawalpindi district administration requested assistance from the Pakistan Army to help manage the emergency and protect vulnerable residents.
Weather Conditions and Meteorological Forecasts
Weather conditions in Islamabad featured a humidity level of 71 percent alongside a breeze blowing at nine kilometers per hour, according to INP. The Met Office stated that an active rain-producing system over the Potohar region and Azad Jammu and Kashmir would bring more thundershowers over the subsequent 24 hours. 24NewsHD added that the Met Office warned it might “rain cats and dogs at a few places,” while also forecasting rain for upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and partly cloudy weather for Gilgit-Baltistan. Additionally, The Nation reported that the Flood Forecasting Division in Lahore recorded low-level flooding at the Kalabagh and Guddu barrages along the Indus River, while other major rivers maintained normal water conditions.
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