RAWALPINDI – Torrential rains battered Islamabad and Rawalpindi for nearly 18 hours, dumping more than 240 millimetres of water and leaving large parts of the twin cities submerged.
The relentless downpour pushed the Nullah Leh to dangerously high levels—22 feet at Katarian and 23 feet at Gawalmandi Bridge—forcing the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) to declare a rain emergency. Heavy machinery and drainage teams were rushed to low-lying neighbourhoods as rescue workers scrambled to prevent further damage. Sirens echoed across areas near Nullah Leh, warning residents to evacuate as more rainfall was predicted by the Pakistan Meteorological Department.
With the situation worsening, WASA officials reached out to the Pakistan Army’s 111 Brigade for support. Rescue 1122 was placed on high alert, while the district administration urged citizens to vacate weak or dilapidated structures.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz described the rains as “unprecedented,” announcing emergency measures across affected districts. In a social media statement, she reassured the public that government departments were working around the clock and urged citizens to cooperate with authorities.
Although rainfall in Rawalpindi has temporarily eased, other areas of Punjab remain under threat. In Chakwal, a devastating cloudburst dumped a staggering 449 millimetres of rain, submerging homes and triggering flash floods. Rescue teams are facing extreme challenges in reaching stranded families, and several small dams in the region have overflowed, spilling into nearby towns. The historic Katas Raj temple also saw floodwaters breach its premises.
In Jhelum, rivers and canals have swelled dangerously, forcing the administration to call in the army and helicopters for emergency evacuations. Sheikhupura and its adjoining areas were also hit by over 200 millimetres of rain, further compounding the crisis.
Dr. Rizwan, Secretary of Emergency Services, revealed that over 310 house roofs have collapsed during this monsoon season, with 90 rain-related deaths reported since June 16. In just the past 24 hours, 43 people have died in Punjab alone—16 in Lahore, nine in Faisalabad, and several others across smaller towns.
The situation is equally grim in Balochistan, where 16 fatalities have been confirmed and dozens of homes destroyed. With monsoon rains expected to continue into September, officials fear more flooding in coming days.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) confirmed that 54 more lives were lost in the last 24 hours nationwide, bringing the overall monsoon death toll to around 180. Authorities have issued fresh warnings for heavy rains across Punjab in the next 12 hours, including Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, and Sargodha.
Relief efforts are underway, with both civil and military teams rescuing hundreds of stranded residents. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to visit the NDMA headquarters for a detailed briefing on the crisis.
Residents in low-lying areas have been strongly advised to remain vigilant, avoid unnecessary travel, and be ready to evacuate immediately if sirens sound.
