Heavy rain and thunderstorms caused widespread waterlogging across Rawalpindi and Islamabad early Sunday, sending water levels in Nullah Lai sharply higher before they began receding after the rainfall stopped.
The twin cities have experienced several consecutive days of intermittent heavy rain, swelling Nullah Lai, the Soan River and other waterways and keeping emergency services on alert.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), Sunday’s rainfall began at around 1am and continued until approximately 5am.
Islamabad’s Saidpur area received the heaviest rainfall at 85mm, while 75mm was recorded at both PMD H-8/2 and Golra. New Katarian and Shamsabad received 64mm each, followed by Pirwadhai with 62mm, Bokra with 52mm, Golmandi with 43mm and Kacheri with 35mm.
The downpour inundated low-lying neighbourhoods and several major roads, while Nullah Lai rose rapidly during the storm.
At Katarian, the water level reached 19 feet, prompting authorities to issue an alert. Officials said evacuation would have begun if the level had reached 20 feet.
At Golmandi, Nullah Lai rose to 16.5 feet, with authorities maintaining a pre-alert as they closely monitored the situation.
Water levels began to fall rapidly after the rain subsided, easing the immediate threat, although authorities remained vigilant amid the continuing spell of unsettled weather.