
Torrential rain battered Islamabad, causing urban flooding, damaging homes, and submerging a vehicle, as authorities issued high alerts in both the capital and neighbouring Rawalpindi amid rising water levels in major nullahs.
According to the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Rawalpindi, Saidpur Village received 145mm of rainfall within 3.5 hours, triggering flash floods in seasonal streams. Water flowed above bridge levels in several areas, while a car was swept away by the current. The vehicle has since been retrieved.
In Saidpur, a wall collapse due to the downpour caused damage to nearby homes. Streets and residences were flooded, leaving residents stranded and struggling to navigate through waterlogged lanes.
The Met Office clarified that the situation did not qualify as a cloudburst. “Saidpur recorded 124mm of rain in 2.5 hours, while Golra saw 46mm. A cloudburst is when rainfall exceeds 100mm in one hour,” the official said.
In neighbouring Rawalpindi, water levels in Nullah Leh also rose sharply. WASA has declared a rain emergency and issued a red alert. At Katarian Bridge, the water level reached 14 feet, while in Gawalmandi it rose to 6.5 feet. Emergency teams have been mobilised to manage the situation.
سید پور میں غیر قانونی تعمیرات اور تجاوزات کی وجہ سے نالے میں پانی کا بہاؤ تیز ہوا، بارش رکنے کے بعد تجاوزات کے خلاف پہلے سے جاری آپریشن کا دائرہ کار مزید وسیع کیا جائے گا، ضلعی انتظامیہ اور سی ڈی اے انفورسمنٹ ٹیم موقع پر موجود، سینیٹشن ٹیم کی جانب سے نکاسی آب کا عمل بھی جاری ہے
— DC Islamabad (@dcislamabad) July 21, 2025
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has forecast further heavy rainfall in the next 12 hours, warning of up to 50mm in the Pothohar region.
Islamabad deputy commissioner visited the affected area and instructed officials to intensify operations against encroachments. “Illegal constructions are obstructing the natural flow of water in the nullahs,” he said, directing immediate clearance.
DC Irfan Nawaz Memon directed all assistant commissioners to inspect low-lying areas in their jurisdictions and take immediate steps to mitigate potential risks.
سید پور کے علاقے میں موسلا دھار بارش، ڈپٹی کمشنر اسلام آباد صورتحال کا جائزہ لینے موقع پر پہنچ گئے، تجاوزات کی وجہ سے نالے کا بہاؤ متاثر ہوا جو سیلابی صورتحال کا باعث بنا، علاقے میں غیر قانونی تعمیرات کے خلاف کئی روز سے جاری آپریشن بارش کے بعد بھی جاری رہے گا pic.twitter.com/PfrKnspLBt
— DC Islamabad (@dcislamabad) July 21, 2025
The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration said monitoring of seasonal streams and nullahs is ongoing to prevent overflow or urban flooding. Special teams have been deployed to ensure smooth water flow, particularly in flood-prone zones.
Authorities have urged citizens to adopt precautionary measures during the wet spell. Residents in vulnerable areas have been advised to stay alert and avoid unnecessary travel. The DC also encouraged the public to promptly report emergencies or blocked drains for swift response.
Meawnhile, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has forecast a fourth monsoon spell across 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 southern Punjab.
PDMA has issued an alert for the risk of heavy rainfall and flooding from July 20 to 25, urging local authorities to remain vigilant.
Read More: Heatwave grips Lahore as Punjab braces for fourth monsoon spell
River levels in the Ravi, Jhelum, Sutlej, and Chenab are expected to rise, while medium-level flooding has already been reported in the Indus River.
To manage the potential impact, provincial agencies such as WASA, LWMC, and local municipalities have mobilised emergency measures to handle flood risks, and authorities have enforced Section 144 around rivers and streams to ensure public safety.
Other parts of the country, including Kashmir, Upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad, north-east Punjab, the Pothohar region, Gilgit-Baltistan, north-east and southern Balochistan, and southern Sindh, are expected to experience rain, wind, and thundershowers over the next twelve hours.
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