Schools closed in Rawalpindi as heavy rain lashes twin cities

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RAWALPINDI: Heavy rain lashed Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Tuesday morning, inundating low-lying areas, raising the water level in Leh Nullah and prompting the district administration in the garrison city to announce a holiday for educational institutions. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said that the water level in Leh Nullah had risen to 29 feet at Kattarian and 23.5 feet at Gawalmandi. Evacuation began along Kattarian and Gawalmandi as 200mm of rain was recorded in the catchment areas of Leh Nullah. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said the raised water levels have led to “urban flooding risks in low-lying areas” of the twin cities. He said “all relief and emergency departments”, including the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa), Rescue 1122 and the district administration, were on high alert and deployed on the ground to manage drainage and ensure safety. PMD data till 8:20am showed that Saidpur received 104mm of rainfall, 157mm in Golra, 72mm in Bokra, 155 mm at the PMD site near H-8/2, 74mm at Kutchery, 201mm at Shamsabad, 86mm at Pir Widhai, 186mm at New Kattarian. In Rawalpindi, the district administration announced a public holiday for educational institutions. In a post on X, the Rawalpindi deputy commissioner (DC) urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel. Islamabad DC Irfan Nawaz Memon said on X that the torrential rainfall had caused the water level in Rawal Dam to exceed the set limit, due to which the spillways will be opened at 2pm. He urged the public to avoid going near nullahs. In another post, DC Memon said “record” rainfall in E-11 had resulted in overflowing drains, which caused water to inundate roads and “enter illegal basements that had already been sealed”. He added that residents in the “illegal society Ghauri Town Phase 2 had blocked the drain with slabs”, leading to the flooding. The officer directed that strict action be taken against those involved in blocking the drain and the drainage process be intensified through dewatering pumps. In an earlier statement, the DC said rescue work was underway after a wall collapse in D12, although no loss of life was reported. Islamabad Chief Commissioner Lt (retired) Sohail Ashraf, accompanied by DC Memon, visited various areas of the capital to assess the drainage operations. Islamabad traffic police also issued an advisory, urging motorists to allow extra travel time, reduce speed and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles as water accumulation could affect traffic. Motorists were advised to use fog lights during poor visibility and remain in their designated lanes. The traffic police said water accumulation on some roads could affect the normal flow of traffic and advised citizens to plan their journeys accordingly and leave home accordingly. Former climate minister Sherry Rehman shared a video showing multiple cars on a flooded street submerged in water up to half their height. “The rain in Rawalpindi-Islamabad from last night has brought the cities to a dangerous tipping point,” she wrote. Rain had also lashed the twin cities on Monday afternoon, disrupting normal life and inundating low-lying areas. The downpour continued for two hours with small intervals. Last week, the Met Office had predicted more rain in the country’s upper parts until September 5. It had warned that heavy rains may cause urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Mardan, Swabi, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot and Lahore during the forecast period.

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