Heavy Rain Disrupts Islamabad as Roads Flood, Water Enters Basements
E-11 receives around 150mm of rain as an overflowing drain sends water onto roads and into some basements, while Nullah Lai crosses the evacuation threshold at Kattarian and Gawalmandi.
ISLAMABAD: Heavy rainfall disrupted parts of Islamabad and Rawalpindi on Tuesday, causing waterlogging on roads, sending water into some basements in E-11 and pushing the water level in Nullah Lai above the evacuation threshold at key points in Rawalpindi.
According to the Islamabad district administration, heavy rainfall filled the drain in E-11, causing water to spill onto the road and enter some basements. The administration said the affected basements had already been sealed before the latest rain spell.
The district administration reported around 150mm of rainfall in E-11. The Deputy Commissioner Islamabad remained at the site as sanitation teams carried out dewatering operations using additional pumps.
Officials said efforts were also underway to keep traffic moving on major roads, including the Islamabad Expressway, despite heavy rainfall and water accumulation at vulnerable locations.
Separately, a protective wall collapsed in D-12/2 due to the rainfall. Relief operations were launched at the site, while the district administration said there was no loss of life or property in the incident.
Up to 197mm Rainfall Recorded
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) reported heavy rainfall across Islamabad and Rawalpindi, with rainfall measurements ranging between 72mm and 197mm at different monitoring locations.
According to PMD figures, Shamsabad in Rawalpindi recorded 197mm, followed by New Kattarian with 185mm. Around E-11 near Golra in Islamabad, PMD recorded 157mm, while its H-8/2 station registered 152mm.
Saidpur Village received 98mm, Pirwadhai 86mm, while Bokra, CTTI/I-12 and the Kachehri area recorded around 72mm each, according to the department.
The prolonged rainfall also caused the water level in Nullah Lai to rise sharply in Rawalpindi.
PMD reported the water level at Kattarian at 28.5 feet, exceeding the stated 20-foot evacuation threshold. At Gawalmandi, the level was recorded at 23 feet, also above the threshold.
Residents living in vulnerable communities along Nullah Lai were consequently directed to move to safer locations, while rescue services and the Rawalpindi district administration were placed on alert.
The rain spell across the twin cities had been continuing since around 3:20am, according to PMD.
Authorities warned that continued rainfall could lead to further water accumulation in low-lying areas of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Residents have been advised to stay away from streams, drains and Nullah Lai and follow safety instructions issued by the relevant authorities as conditions develop.
