Heavy Rain Hits Rawalpindi, Islamabad as WASA Remains on High Alert

RAWALPINDI: Heavy rain hit Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Wednesday, prompting the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) to put its emergency teams on high alert.

WASA Managing Director said field staff, along with heavy machinery, have been deployed in low-lying areas to keep rainwater flowing smoothly. He said blockages in stormwater drains caused by the previous spell of rain have been cleared, and officials are continuously monitoring Nullah Lai and other major drains. Water is currently flowing normally.

Rainfall was recorded in several areas, with the highest amounts reported in Gawalmandi (47 mm) and Kutchery (44 mm). Other areas, including Pirwadhai, New Katarian, Bokra, and Shamsabad, also received moderate to heavy rain.

WASA teams are working in Dhoke Khabba and nearby low-lying areas to drain rainwater, while dewatering operations are continuing on Circular Road. The WASA Managing Director is personally overseeing the operation.

The heavy rain caused water levels to rise in Nullah Lai. Officials said the water level reached 10 feet at Katarian and 8 feet at Gawalmandi, where a precautionary alert has been issued.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said hot and humid weather is expected in most parts of the country over the next 12 hours. However, rain, wind, and thunderstorms are likely in Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad, and upper and central Punjab. Isolated heavy rainfall is also expected in some areas.

Morning temperatures were recorded at 23°C in Islamabad, 31°C in Lahore, 29°C in Karachi, 27°C in Peshawar, 24°C in Quetta, 20°C in Gilgit, 16°C in Murree, and 22°C in Muzaffarabad.

In Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, partly cloudy weather with chances of rain, wind, and thunderstorms is expected in Srinagar, Jammu, Leh, Pulwama, Anantnag, Shopian, and Baramula. Morning temperatures ranged from 9°C in Leh to 27°C in Jammu.