RAWALPINDI (Kashmir English): As the torrential rains lashed Islamabad and Rawalpindi on Monday, the authorities have issued an evacuation order for people living near Nullah Lai in Rawalpindi.
The relentless downpour caused severe urban flooding in some low-lying areas of the twin cities, including Bhara Kahu, G-11, and Srinagar Highway. The road turned into pools, disrupting traffic.
The Met Office said that 98 mm of rain was recorded at H-8, while 76 mm was recorded at Golra, 45 mm in Saidpur, and 52 mm in Bokra. While Pirwadhai received 45 mm of rain, Shamsabad 28 mm, and Gawal Mandi received 5 mm of rain.
Following the heavy rain in the upper catchment areas of Nullah, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued an evacuation alert, advising residents near and along the Nullah to move to safe places and cooperate with the administration.
According to WASA Rawalpindi, the level of Nullah Lai increased by 19 feet, and people around the stream have been directed to move to safer places.
At Katarian, the water level in Lai reached 15.7 feet, exceeding the pre-alert level of 15.3 feet, while it crossed 14 feet at Gawal Mandi.
WASA has kept the rain emergency in effect and sent teams to low-lying areas, while the MD WASA said that the rain is being fully monitored and all necessary arrangements have been made.
Earlier, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has warned that a fresh spell of heavy rainfall, expected from Monday to Wednesday across the country. The weather system is likely to intensify the already critical flood situation across northeastern, central, and southern Punjab.
