Heavy Islamabad avocations, more than 145 mm of recorded rain

The torrential rain abused Islamabad, causing urban floods, damaging houses and immersing a vehicle, since the authorities issued high alerts both in the capital and in neighboring Rawalpindi in the midst of growing water levels in the main Nullahs.

According to the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Rawalpindi, Saidpur Village received 145 mm of rain in 3.5 hours, which caused sudden floods in seasonal currents. Water flowed above the bridge levels in several areas, while the current was swept by the current. Since then, the vehicle has been recovered.

In Saidpur, a collapse of the wall due to the downpour caused damage to nearby houses. The streets and residences were flooded, leaving residents stranded and struggling to navigate through flooded lanes.

The Met Office clarified that the situation did not qualify as a cloudburst. “Saidpur recorded 124 mm of rain in 2.5 hours, while Golra saw 46 mm. A cloud is when the rain exceeds 100 mm in an hour,” said the official.

In neighboring Rawalpindi, water levels in Nullah Leh also increased abruptly. Wasa has declared an emergency of rain and issued a red alert. In the Katarian bridge, the water level reached 14 feet, while in Gawalmandi it rose to 6.5 feet. Emergency equipment has been mobilized to administer the situation.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has predicted stronger rain in the next 12 hours, warning up to 50 mm in the Pothhahar region.

Islamabad’s deputy commissioner visited the affected area and instructed officials to intensify the operations against invasions. “Illegal constructions are obstructing the natural flow of water in the Nullahs,” he said, directing immediate authorization.

DC Irfan Nawaz Memon ordered all the commissioners attending to inspect the low areas in their jurisdictions and take immediate measures to mitigate potential risks.

The administration of the territory of the capital of Islamabad (ICT) said that the monitoring of seasonal currents and the Nullahs is in progress to avoid overflow or urban floods. Special equipment has been deployed to guarantee a soft water flow, particularly in flood -prone areas.

The authorities have urged citizens to adopt precautionary measures during the wet spell. Residents have been advised in vulnerable areas that remain alert and avoid unnecessary trips. The DC also encouraged the public to inform immediately emergency or blocked drains for a quick response.

Meawnnhile, the Provincial Authority of Disaster Management (PDMA) has predicted a fourth monsoon spell in Punjab.

This spell is expected to be stronger than the previous ones, bringing Thundershowers, Wind and Rain to several regions, including Rawalpindi, Murree, Faisalabad, Gujranwala and parts of the south of Punjab.

PDMA has issued an alert about the risk of heavy rains and floods from July 20 to 25, urging local authorities to remain attentive.

Read more: Heatwave grabs Lahore as Punjab Brazes for Fourth Monzón.

The river levels in Ravi, Jhelum, Sutlej and Chenab are expected to increase, while medium level floods have already been informed on the Indo River.

To manage the potential impact, provincial agencies such as WASA, LWMC and local municipalities have mobilized emergency measures to handle flood risks, and the authorities have applied section 144 around rivers and currents to guarantee public safety.

Other parts of the country, including Kashmira, Alta Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad, the northeast of Punjab, the Pothhahar region, the Gilgit-Baltist, the Northeast and the South of Baluchistan and the southern Sindh, experience rain, wind and trinunas through the next twelve hours.