Torrential rain in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad has triggered urban flooding in several low-lying areas, with residents reporting significant water accumulation inside homes.
The heavy downpour caused water levels in Nullah Lai and its connected drains to rise sharply. At one point, the water level reportedly reached around 20 feet, prompting authorities to sound warning sirens and advise residents in vulnerable areas to move to safer locations.
Several localities within Chaklala Cantonment, including Dhoke Kala Khan, Mumtaz Town, Banaras Town and Afzal Town, were among the worst affected. Rainwater and overflow from drainage channels entered streets and residential properties.
In Mumtaz Town and other affected neighbourhoods, water reportedly reached up to six feet inside dozens of homes, damaging vehicles, furniture and electronic equipment. Residents were seen removing water from their properties on a self-help basis.
Several major roads and connecting routes in Rawalpindi were also inundated, slowing traffic and causing congestion at multiple locations.
According to the flood control room, Golra recorded 146 millimetres of rain in Islamabad, the highest reported total in the city during the spell. The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) also imposed a rain emergency in Rawalpindi.
The situation began improving after the intensity of the rain decreased, with water levels in Nullah Lai subsequently falling.
The episode has once again highlighted the vulnerability of low-lying parts of Rawalpindi to urban flooding during intense monsoon rainfall. Nullah Lai and its tributaries are particularly important to flood management in the twin cities, with past extreme rainfall events causing severe flooding.
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