Heavy rain keeps Pindi underwater

Torrential rain inundated several parts of Rawalpindi on Monday, submerging roads and streets, trapping vehicles and proving the city's drainage system to be ineffective despite the rainfall lasting only about 40 minutes.

According to officials, 50 millimetres (mm) of rain was recorded in Rawalpindi, while Islamabad received 13mm. Although the water level in Nullah Leh remained below the danger mark, several low-lying areas, including Dhoke Khabba, Rawal Road and Sadiqabad were flooded.

Vehicles, motorcycles and an ambulance carrying a patient became stranded in accumulated rainwater. Residents helped push the ambulance to safety after it became stuck in Dhoke Khabba, where floodwater also entered homes and shops, causing inconvenience to traders.

On Girja Road, a six-year-old child drowned in a storm drain. Rescue teams launched a search operation to locate the missing child.

The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) deployed teams to the affected areas and began drainage operations using sucker machines, water pumps and heavy machinery.

The short spell of rain highlighted concerns over the city's drainage infrastructure, with residents warning that prolonged rainfall could have caused far more extensive flooding.