Heavy Rain Sends Leh Nullah Rising as Rawalpindi-Islamabad Flood
Flooding disrupts life across the twin cities, with evacuations under way and authorities warning residents to avoid unnecessary travel.
Heavy rain floods roads and low-lying areas across Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD: Heavy rain battered the twin cities on Tuesday, flooding low-lying neighbourhoods, pushing up water levels in Leh Nullah and prompting authorities to step up emergency measures.
The intense downpour caused widespread water accumulation across parts of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, while authorities began evacuations in vulnerable areas. The Rawalpindi administration also announced a holiday for educational institutions as the situation deteriorated.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) reported that the water level in Leh Nullah had reached 29 feet at Kattarian and 23.5 feet at Gawalmandi. Around 200mm of rain was recorded across the nullah’s catchment areas, raising concerns about further flooding.
Evacuations Begin in Vulnerable Areas
Evacuation efforts were launched in Kattarian and Gawalmandi as emergency agencies moved into affected areas.
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said the rising water level had increased the risk of urban flooding in low-lying parts of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
He said the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa), Rescue 1122 and district administrations were placed on high alert. Emergency teams were deployed to improve drainage and protect residents in areas facing rising floodwaters.
According to PMD rainfall figures recorded until 8:20am, Saidpur received 104mm, Golra 157mm, Bokra 72mm, the PMD site near H-8/2 155mm, Kutchery 74mm, Shamsabad 201mm, Pir Widhai 86mm and New Kattarian 186mm of rain.
Rescue Teams Evacuate Residents
The Rawalpindi district administration announced a public holiday for educational institutions and advised residents to avoid unnecessary travel.
Rescue 1122 said its teams conducted operations in several parts of Rawalpindi and safely evacuated 60 people. The emergency service said some residents remained trapped inside their homes, with rescue teams continuing efforts to reach them.
The situation also prompted warnings around Rawal Dam. Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon said heavy rainfall had pushed the water level beyond the prescribed limit and that the dam’s spillways would be opened at 2pm.
He urged residents to stay away from nullahs and other water channels.
Flooded Roads Disrupt Traffic
The Islamabad administration also reported severe water accumulation in E-11, where overflowing drains flooded roads and affected surrounding areas.
The deputy commissioner said some water had entered basements that had previously been sealed. He also alleged that residents of Ghauri Town Phase 2 had obstructed a drainage channel with slabs, contributing to the flooding.
Authorities ordered action against those responsible for blocking the drainage system and directed officials to intensify dewatering operations using pumps.
Earlier, rescue teams had responded to a wall collapse in D-12. No deaths were reported in the incident.
Islamabad traffic police advised motorists to allow additional travel time, reduce speed and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles. Drivers were also urged to use fog lights during periods of poor visibility and remain within their lanes.
Officials warned that standing water on several roads could slow traffic and urged citizens to plan journeys accordingly.
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Videos Show Extent of Urban Flooding
Videos shared on social media showed the impact of the rainfall across the twin cities.
Journalist Hamid Mir posted footage showing flooded areas and partially submerged vehicles, saying sections of the Islamabad Expressway had been inundated and several cars were stranded.
Former climate minister Sherry Rehman also shared footage showing vehicles submerged in floodwater on a flooded street.
“The rain in Rawalpindi-Islamabad from last night has brought the cities to a dangerous tipping point,” she said in a social media post.
The twin cities had already experienced heavy rain on Monday, when a two-hour downpour, interrupted by short intervals, disrupted normal life and flooded several low-lying areas.
More Rain Forecast for Upper Pakistan
The latest spell comes after the Met Office warned last week that more rain was expected across upper parts of the country until September 5.
The weather department had warned that intense rainfall could trigger urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, as well as parts of Mardan, Swabi, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot and Lahore.
Authorities in the twin cities remain on alert as further rainfall could increase pressure on drainage systems and raise the risk of additional flooding.
