The Meteorological Department announced on Thursday that heavy rainfall is expected from July 5, lasting for three days, which may trigger flash floods in local nullahs and streams in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and other regions. This intense rainfall could also lead to urban flooding in Rawalpindi and other Punjab cities, as well as landslides in the hilly regions of Murree, Galiyat, and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Heavy rain hit parts of the twin cities early on Thursday morning and the night before, resulting in waterlogging in low-lying areas of the garrison city. Despite causing some inundation, the rainfall brought much-needed relief from the humid weather.
The Met Office recorded the following rainfall amounts: 44 millimeters in Chaklala, 39mm in Shamsabad, 16mm in Kutchery, 19mm in Saidpur, 21mm in Bokra, 24mm in Golra, 14mm at Islamabad International Airport, and 18mm at Zero Point in Islamabad. Relevant authorities in Rawalpindi and Islamabad have been advised to prepare for the anticipated rain, with a similar directive issued by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
Residents of low-lying areas in Rawalpindi complained about flooding on Thursday, criticizing sanitation agencies for failing to clear drains before the monsoon rains. In Cantt and Chaklala Scheme-I, residents reported clogged drains and gutters.
Mehmood Malik, a resident of Banni Chowk, highlighted the worsening conditions on Jamia Masjid Road, where the first spell of rain inundated the area, a recurring problem.
The water level in Leh Nullah remained normal. WASA spokesman Umer Farooq reported that the rain caused the Leh Nullah to rise to 7.5 feet at Gawalmandi Bridge and 6.5 feet at Kattarian Bridge, but the water did not accumulate in low-lying areas after the rain ceased. He assured that WASA was prepared for any potential flooding, with heavy machinery ready to drain water in emergencies. The cleaning of Leh Nullah is ongoing and expected to be completed next week, with major obstructions already cleared to prevent an increase in water level.
Regarding Rawal Lake, which supplies water to Rawalpindi, Farooq stated that the water level in the dam did not rise as the rain did not affect its catchment areas. However, the water level is expected to increase in the coming days due to the ongoing rainfall.
