Heavy rain in Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Tuesday morning affected the urban system. Water accumulated in several low-lying areas, while the water level in Nala Lai rose to dangerous levels, prompting the administration to issue evacuation orders to vulnerable populations.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, the rain began at around 3:20 pm and continued till 8 am. The few hours of rain increased the pressure on the city’s drainage system. Apart from roads and streets, water also entered some residential areas.
According to Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Capt (retd) Nadeem Nasir, about 200 mm of rain was recorded in the city. According to him, this is the highest rainfall recorded in the city in the last three years.
The situation became more serious when the water level in Nala Lai rose rapidly. According to the latest data, the water reached about 29 feet at Katarian, while the level at Gowalmandi Bridge was recorded at around 23.5 to 24 feet.
According to officials, water pressure in the rainwater drains connected to Nala Lai has caused water to flow back towards the settlements at some places. As a result, citizens in the low-lying areas around the drain faced difficulties.
The administration has directed people living near Nala Lai to be cautious and move to safer places if necessary. Teams have also been kept ready for evacuation in sensitive areas including Katarian and Gowalmandi.
WASA has imposed an emergency in Rawalpindi after the rain. The agency’s teams have sent pumps and heavy machinery to various low-lying areas to drain water. Drainage work was carried out in several areas including Liaquat Bagh, Committee Chowk Underpass, Murree Road, Dhok Khuba and Sadiqabad.
According to the data of the Meteorological Department, about 197 mm of rainfall was recorded in Shamsabad. New Katarian received 185 mm while Golra received 157 mm of rainfall. These data indicate that the center of the rain was not limited to just one area.
In Islamabad too, water accumulated in various areas due to heavy rain. Citizens faced drainage and transportation problems in some places including E-11. Authorities have put emergency agencies in both cities on alert.
In view of the intensity of the rain, it was decided to close educational institutions in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. According to the administration, this step was taken due to water on the roads and possible difficulties in the transportation of students.
Rescue 1122, WASA and district administration teams are present in the affected areas. Other relevant agencies have also been kept ready for immediate action in any emergency. The administration is constantly monitoring the water level in Nala Lei and other rainwater drains of the city.
Authorities have asked citizens to avoid unnecessary travel. Be careful not to go near Nala Lei, rainwater drains and submerged roads.
The biggest risk in the current situation is further rain and the water level in Nala Lei rising again. On the other hand, if the rainfall is less and the drain flow decreases, the process of water draining from low-lying areas may also accelerate.
The administration says that the focus is currently on three main issues. These include monitoring the drain, draining water from the affected areas and protecting citizens in the risk areas.
