By the latest update, water level at Katarian fell from 19ft to 6ft, at Golmandi it dropped from 16.5ft to 6ft
A motorcyclist rides through a flooded road during overnight rain in Rawalpindi. PHOTO: EXPRESS
RAWALPINDI:
Heavy rain and thunderstorms caused widespread waterlogging in Rawalpindi and Islamabad early on Sunday, with water levels in Nullah Lai rising sharply before falling rapidly after the rain stopped.
The twin cities have been hit by intermittent heavy rain for several consecutive days, with repeated downpours swelling Nullah Leh, the Soan River and other waterways. The prolonged spell has kept the authorities and emergency services on alert, with rain-related flooding reported in several low-lying areas.
The rain began at about 1am and continued until around 5am, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD). The heaviest rainfall was recorded in Islamabad’s Saidpur area, where 85mm was recorded, while 75mm was recorded at PMD H-8/2 and Golra.
PMD said New Katarian and Shamsabad each received 64mm of rain, while Pirwadhai recorded 62mm. Bokra received 52mm, Golmandi 43mm and Kacheri 35mm. The overall average rainfall was recorded at 69.88mm.
The heavy rain caused flooding in low-lying areas and on major roads, while water levels in Nullah Lai rose significantly.
At Katarian, the water level reached 19ft, while it rose to 16.5ft at Golmandi. An alert was issued at Katarian, while a pre-alert remained in place at Golmandi. According to authorities, evacuation at Katarian would have begun if the water level had reached 20ft. At Golmandi, an alert would have been issued at 14.1ft.
Read: Persistent rains keep twin cities on edge
After the rain stopped at around 5am, water levels in Nullah Lai began falling steadily. By the latest update, the water level at Katarian had fallen from 19ft to 6ft, while at Golmandi it had dropped from 16.5ft to 6ft.
Rescue 1122 Rawalpindi said its teams had been deployed at sensitive locations across the city and cantonment areas because of the heavy rain and rising water level in Nullah Lai.
Water rescue teams, ambulances, rescue and fire vehicles, boats and other emergency equipment were stationed at key locations, including Katarian, Golmandi, Shalon Colony, Zia Colony, Dhoke Ratta, Javed Colony, Dhoke Najo, Bangash Colony, Dhoke Matkial, Dhoke Ilahi, Dhoke Dalal, Bakra Mandi, Akhri Stop, Banaras Colony, Range Road, Dhoke Hassu, Sadiqabad and Boring Road.
Rescue 1122 said its control room was continuously monitoring rainfall and water levels in Nullah Lai, while field teams remained on alert to respond to any emergency.
It advised residents to stay away from drains, low-lying areas and electricity poles during rain, keep rooftop drainage routes clear and avoid unnecessary travel. It also urged people not to attempt to cross streams and drains, keep children away from drains and electricity poles, avoid going under damaged or unsafe roofs and drive slowly during rain.
The emergency service urged citizens to call 1122 immediately in case of an emergency.
The Rawalpindi administration had also declared a rain emergency, with the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) and other relevant departments deployed in the field.
Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner said Wasa staff and heavy machinery had been deployed in low-lying areas for drainage, while the administration, Wasa, Rescue 1122, the Municipal Corporation and other agencies were continuously monitoring the situation.
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The deputy commissioner said all available resources were being used to facilitate residents and ensure the timely drainage of rainwater.
Wasa Managing Director Azizullah Khan said the water level in Nullah Lai at Katarian had reached 19ft, while the flow at the Golmandi bridge had risen to 16.5ft.
He said the flow of water in Nullah Lai and other major drains across the city was being continuously monitored, while Wasa staff and heavy machinery remained active in low-lying areas.
Wasa spokesman said Khan was present in the field and supervising the drainage operation.
Although the rain had stopped, authorities continued to monitor Nullah Lai as water levels gradually receded.
Rain persistently lashes twin cities
The latest spell followed several days of intense monsoon rain across Rawalpindi and Islamabad, with Nullah Leh reaching dangerous levels on multiple occasions. During heavy rainfall earlier in the week, the water level rose to 22ft at Katarian and between 17ft and 17.5ft at Gawalmandi. Warning sirens were sounded, and residents in low-lying areas were advised to evacuate as rescue teams responded to flooding in several locations.
The heavy rain also caused a sharp rise in water flows in the Soan River after water from Nullah Leh and other stormwater drains entered the river. Flooding affected homes, shops and markets in low-lying areas, while Rescue 1122 teams used boats to move stranded residents to safer locations, including in Gulrez Colony.
Encroachments along drains and drainage channels have been blamed for worsening the impact of monsoon flooding in several densely populated parts of Rawalpindi, including Ratta Amral, Dhoke Ratta, Gawalmandi, Pirwadhai, Kartarpura, Mohanpura, Swan Bridge, Jhandachichi Bridge, Airport Housing Scheme, Fazal Town, Lala Zar and areas near Tej Bhata.
Also Read: Leh swells after heavy downpour
According to a senior district administration official, action against encroachments had been difficult because of political pressure. The official told The Express Tribune that a fresh survey was being conducted in coordination with the Rawalpindi city and cantonment administrations.
Five days of monsoon rain also pushed water levels close to capacity at the three dams supplying Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
Rawal Dam has a storage capacity of 1,752 acre-feet and held 1,749 acre-feet, while Khanpur Dam has a capacity of 1,982 acre-feet and held 1,964 acre-feet. Simly Dam, with a capacity of 2,315.45 acre-feet, held 2,314 acre-feet.
The spillways of Rawal Dam were opened after its water level rose last week. The Rawalpindi and Islamabad administrations also banned swimming and fishing in the Swan River and Korang Stream, as well as recreational activities and fishing around the Rawal Dam spillway, and ordered FIRs against violators.
