Rain brings relief as water levels rise

RAWALPINDI/MURREE:

Intermittent rainfall in Rawalpindi and Islamabad has brought a drop in temperature, providing relief from heat and improving water reserves.

Rain that began Sunday night continued through Monday, bringing significant changes in weather.

Islamabad recorded 24 mm rainfall in Saidpur, 16 mm in Golra, 20 mm in Bokra, and 24 mm at PMD. In Rawalpindi, Shamsabad recorded 29 mm, Chaklala 16 mm, Pirwadhai 17 mm, Gawalmandi 15 mm, and New Katarian 21 mm.

The rainfall improved groundwater levels and increased water storage in dams. Rawal Dam's water level rose to 1,744 feet, while its maximum capacity is 1,751 feet and dead level is 1,706 feet. Khanpur Dam's level rose to 1,952 feet against a maximum of 1,983 feet and a dead level of 1,910 feet.

WASA Managing Director Azizullah Khan said Rawal Dam has enough water for six months, while Khanpur Dam can meet the twin cities' needs for three months.

He added that Rawalpindi's daily water demand is 70 million gallons, while supply currently stands at 51 million gallons.

Work is ongoing on Chahan, Daducha, and Cherah dam projects to address future demand. A project to lay a new 36-inch pipeline from Rawal Dam to Khayaban-i-Sir Syed is in its final stages to reduce leakage.

Authorities aim to not only overcome the current shortfall but also meet future increases in demand, following directives from Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

Landslides kill two in Murree

Heavy rainfall continues in the hill station of Murree, turning the entire area waterlogged and causing severe flooding in drains. Reports of landslides have emerged from various locations.

During the intense downpour in Murree and Galiyat, two motorcyclists lost their lives in separate incidents. At Malach, a motorcyclist, Umar Abbasi, died after being struck on the head by a heavy stone that fell from above. In another incident in Lora, a suburb of Galiyat near Murree, a WAPDA employee, Saddam, was killed on the spot when a tree fell on him while he was riding home.

Heavy rain has also triggered a major landslide on Dhak Road near Jhika Gali Chowk, putting several nearby houses at risk. The weather has turned significantly colder, with dense fog blanketing the area and dark clouds engulfing the valleys.

According to the Meteorological Department, intermittent rainfall is expected to continue over the next 24 hours.

Meanwhile, during heavy rains, the remodelling project at Jhika Gali Chowk has been hit by landslides, with multiple nearby houses also affected due to flawed planning by NESPAK and the contractor. Residents are facing severe difficulties as the Dhak Road in Jhika Gali has been blocked by landslides, and dozens of trees have been uprooted. Several homes in are also at risk.

Locals claim that during excavation and drilling, thousands of tons of soil were carelessly dumped on the forested and residential side. The heavy machinery used for drilling added excessive weight to the soil, which the ground could not sustain. The recent heavy rainfall caused large cracks in the land, damaging several houses.

The affected residents have appealed to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, urging the government to take immediate emergency measures to protect the community before the Jhika Gali Chowk remodelling project continues.

It is worth noting that 15 years ago, when an alternate side of the Jhika Gali market was demolished for the construction of a parking plaza, a major landslide occurred, which not only halted the project but also caused losses of billions to the national treasury.

Kaghan receives snowfall

On the other hand, heavy rainfall in Balakot city and its surrounding areas, along with fresh snowfall in the upper Kaghan Valley, has brought winter-like conditions back to the region.

Up to one foot of fresh snow has been recorded in Naran and adjoining upper valleys, causing temperatures to drop below the freezing point. Over the past 24 hours, intermittent rain continued in Balakot and nearby areas, making the weather significantly colder and prompting residents to once again use warm clothing.

Meanwhile, tourist spots in the Kaghan Valley, including Naran, Jalkhad, and Babusar Top, have experienced an unusual surge in cold due to the snowfall.

According to sources from the Meteorological Department, the spell of snowfall in upper areas and rain in the plains is likely to continue for the next 24 hours. This may lead to rising water levels in streams and increase the risk of landslides on mountainous routes.