Heavy rains bring relief to twin cities

Heavy rain across the twin cities and adjoining areas brought a welcome spell of pleasant weather on Saturday, lifting spirits after three weeks of intense heat.

Heavy downpours, accompanied by thunder and lightning, lashed the region in the evening. Dust settled on streets and trees across the cities, was washed away by the rain, leaving a visibly refreshed landscape.

The rainfall also flushed seasonal drains, major stormwater channels and Nullah Leh, carrying away accumulated waste and debris. Water inflows into the three dams supplying the twin cities, Khanpur Dam, Rawal Dam, and Simly Dam, improved significantly, with stronger inflows reported in their catchment areas.

The downpour also contributed to a rise in groundwater levels. Water and Sanitation Agency spokesperson Umar Farooq said that water reserves in the dams remain adequate, adding that with normal monsoon rains expected, there is no immediate risk of a water shortage during the summer.

However, the intense rainfall adversely affected the ongoing wheat harvest, damaging cut crops which were lying in fields. A spokesperson for the agriculture department advised farmers to plan harvesting in line with weather forecasts to avoid losses from further rains.

Meanwhile, the heavy rain exposed infrastructure shortcomings, as roofs at metro stations and buses began to leak. Key underpasses at Committee Chowk, Rahimabad, and Peshawar Road were inundated with up to one foot of standing water, which could not be drained promptly, though it later receded on its own.

Following the rain, cool gusts of wind drew large numbers of residents onto the roads, with families venturing out on motorcycles and in cars to enjoy the refreshing weather.