ISLAMABAD: Rawalpindi and the twin cities experienced intense rainfall, leading to widespread flooding as drains overflowed and water entered residential areas, including several cantonment zones. Vehicles in New Lalazar were submerged, and residents faced significant hardships due to the waterlogging.
Major roads in Pirwadhai, Sadiqabad, and Muslim Town were also inundated, with over 145 millimeters of rain recorded across the region. The heavy downpour caused a leak in the Metrobus roof, adding to the transportation issues.
In Jan Colony, overflowing rainwater drains resulted in streets being submerged. As water levels in Nullah Lai surged, emergency alarms were activated, prompting authorities to advise residents in the vicinity to evacuate to safer locations.
Following the cessation of rain, water levels in Nullah Lai receded to approximately six feet at Kattarian. Meanwhile, floodwaters affected low-lying areas in Narowal and Gujrat, while water flows increased in Nullah Bein and Nullah Basantar near Shakargarh.
Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) teams and other agencies are actively working to drain water from affected roads. A high alert remains in effect, with more rain forecasted in the coming days.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued warnings for heavy rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds across Islamabad, Pothohar, upper Punjab, Kashmir, parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit-Baltistan on Thursday. Several regions are expected to experience intense rainfall, increasing the risk of urban flooding.
The weather forecast predicts that during the night and on August 20, heavy rains could lead to flash floods in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and other cities including Mardan, Swabi, Peshawar, Nowshera, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, and Lahore. Landslides are also a concern in hilly terrains of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galiyat, and Kashmir during this period.
In Islamabad and nearby regions, partly cloudy to overcast skies with rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds are anticipated, with heavy rainfall expected in some areas.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is forecasted to experience widespread rain and thunderstorms, especially in Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Khyber, Bajaur, Mohmand, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, Peshawar, Hangu, Orakzai, Karak, Kurram, Kohat, and Waziristan. Heavy rain is likely in Abbottabad, Haripur, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, and Peshawar, while the rest of the province may see hot and humid conditions.
In Punjab, rain and thunderstorms are expected in Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal, Talagang, Gujrat, Jhelum, Mangla, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura, and Okara.
Most districts in Sindh are likely to face hot and humid weather, with partly cloudy skies in southern areas. Balochistan will also experience hot and humid conditions, with rain and thunderstorms forecasted in Barkhan, Zhob, Musakhel, and Khuzdar during evening and nighttime hours.
Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan are expected to have partly cloudy weather with periods of rain, thunderstorms, and heavy falls possible.
Over the past 24 hours, widespread rain, accompanied by wind and thunderstorms, affected Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Scattered showers were also reported in the Pothohar region, northeast Punjab, northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Kashmir, with some areas experiencing heavy rainfall. Elsewhere, hot and humid weather persisted across the country.
