Summary The water level in Nullah Lai continued to rise following the heavy downpour, prompting authorities to issue an evacuation alert for residents living in vulnerable areas
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Heavy rainfall triggered urban flooding in parts of Islamabad and Rawalpindi on Tuesday, inundating several residential areas and forcing authorities to close educational institutions in Rawalpindi for the day.
Several neighbourhoods near Pirwadhai, including Safdarabad, Gali Loharan and Fauji Colony, were flooded after torrential rain, with water entering houses and shops. Areas falling under Union Councils 4 and 5 were also affected, while vehicles were submerged in Awan Colony.
Raja Bazaar, one of Rawalpindi’s major commercial areas, was also inundated as rainwater accumulated across the city.
The water level in Nullah Lai continued to rise following the heavy downpour, prompting authorities to issue an evacuation alert for residents living in vulnerable areas along the watercourse.
In view of the deteriorating weather conditions, Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner announced a holiday for all public and private educational institutions in the city on Tuesday.
According to the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa), the highest rainfall was recorded in Shamsabad at 197 millimetres, followed by New Katarian with 184mm and Golra with 157mm. The Pakistan Meteorological Department recorded 146mm at its station, while Pirwadhai received 86mm of rain.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has forecast further rainfall across upper and central parts of the country over the next 48 hours.
Rain is expected in several areas of Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab.
Authorities have warned that continued rainfall in the upper regions could increase water flows in rivers and raise the risk of flooding in streams and nullahs.