Heavy rain floods low-lying areas

At least one person was killed after torrential rain that began late Tuesday night inundated low-lying areas of Rawalpindi, with Islamabad receiving 114mm and Rawalpindi more than 55mm of rain. The woman reportedly drowned in Soan River after a low-lying area was inundated.

The water level in Nullah Leh rose to 22 feet at Katarian and 17.5 feet at Gawalmandi, triggering danger sirens.

WASA declared a high alert and rain emergency, while warnings were issued to residents of low-lying areas to evacuate.

Nullah Leh narrowly avoided becoming a major threat to Rawalpindi, while residents of low-lying areas remained fearful. Water also entered the gynaecology and paediatrics OPD of Holy Family Hospital, affecting medical services.

According to sources, a heavy spell of rain that began around 1am in Rawalpindi and Islamabad changed the situation in low-lying areas, including Nullah Leh, within a few hours. The highest rainfall of 114mm was recorded in Golra, Islamabad, followed by 71mm in Saidpur. Rainfall in Basin Main reached 76.05mm.

When a large volume of water entered Nullah Leh, its level rose to 22 feet at Katarian and 17.5 feet at Gawalmandi, following which danger sirens were sounded at both locations and evacuation began.

Heavy rain also affected several low-lying areas of Rawalpindi. Nadeem Colony, Javed Colony, Jamia Masjid Road, Sadiqabad, Dhoke Khabba, Jan Colony, Pirwadhai and other areas were inundated as water entered homes through streets and roads, causing severe difficulties for residents.

After the rain subsided, the situation in Nullah Leh gradually improved. At 8:10am, the water level at Katarian had fallen from 22 feet to 16.5 feet, while 17 feet was recorded at Gawalmandi.

The administration ended the evacuation situation at both locations but kept the alert in place. No loss of life was reported during the flooding.

Although the water level in Nullah Leh has declined, Rescue 1122 and other departments remain on high alert due to standing water in low-lying areas and the possibility of further rain.

WASA Managing Director Azizullah Khan said WASA teams and machinery remained deployed in low-lying areas due to the intensity of the rain, while water was drained from low-lying locations after the rain stopped.

Meanwhile, water entered the OPD of the city's largest hospital, Holy Family Hospital, forcing patients and doctors to be shifted to other wards. Staff continued to drain water from the OPD building on an emergency basis. Rawalpindi Commissioner Salman Ghani took notice of the water entering the Holy Family Hospital OPD and directed immediate measures for its drainage.

Holy Family Hospital MD Dr Ijaz Butt said water had entered the gynaecology and paediatrics OPD, located in the old building, due to construction work on sewerage lines outside the facility.