Heavy rainfall paralyses Rawalpindi, streets and homes inundated

Key routes like Murree Road, Liaquat Bagh, Mall Road transformed into mini-lakes; WASA Rawalpindi on high alert.

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Torrential rain in Rawalpindi has turned streets into ponds and flooded homes, disrupting daily life and prompting authorities to issue alerts.

The water level in the Nullah Lai has risen once again, triggering warnings for nearby communities and concerned agencies. The rising water in Nullah Lai has reached 10 feet at Katarian and 9.5 feet at Gawalmandi, where a pre-alert has been issued.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), rainfall measurements include 65mm in Saidpur, 51mm in Golra, 110mm in P.Bokra, and 94mm in the Kutchery area.

In several areas of Rawalpindi, rainwater has entered homes, with some houses submerged under several feet of water. Streets in Shale Village, Tench Bhatta, and People's Colony are submerged, leaving residents trapped inside their homes.

Inner city streets have also turned into waterlogged zones.

The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) and the Cantonment Board have been unable to cope with the three days of continuous rain, with their drainage efforts failing to prevent flooding.

Underpasses and roads throughout the city, including key routes like Murree Road, Liaquat Bagh, Mall Road, and Saddar Bazaar, have transformed into mini-lakes.

Business activities have come to a standstill, and the traffic system is completely paralyzed, with traffic wardens nowhere to be seen. Shops in Mochi Bazaar, Mori Bazaar, and Sadiqabad Chowk have also been flooded.

In Sharon Colony and Kent John Colony, along the banks of the Sawan River, water levels have risen to three feet inside homes, destroying valuable household items worth millions.

Residents of low-lying areas have begun to evacuate temporarily.

WASA Managing Director Muhammad Saleem Ashraf stated that heavy rain continues in the catchment area of Nullah Lai.

He emphasised that WASA Rawalpindi is on high alert, with rain emergency measures in place. Heavy machinery and personnel have been deployed in low-lying areas for drainage.

He added that while the flow of water in Nullah Lai is currently normal, they are closely monitoring the situation and are prepared to handle any emergency.