A brief spell of heavy rain turned streets in Islamabad and Rawalpindi into streams, prompting authorities to issue an evacuation alert for residents along Nullah Leh. Murree and Azad Kashmir also experienced torrential downpours.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast torrential rain and thunderstorms in Islamabad and surrounding areas in the next 12 hours.
Two hours of heavy rain had brought life to a standstill in Islamabad, with 98mm rainfall recorded. Roads in sectors including G-11 turned into ponds, submerging vehicles while several trees were uprooted.
Meanwhile, Islamabad’s district administration shut down all hiking trails in Margalla Hills indefinitely, citing safety concerns. A notification from the deputy commissioner urged citizens to avoid visiting hilly areas during rains.
In Rawalpindi, torrential rain raised the water level in Nullah Leh to dangerous levels. At Katarian, the water level rose to 19 feet, while at Gawalmandi it reached 14 feet. The level later receded to 16.5 feet as the rain stopped.
In Zia Colony, the overflowing stormwater drain flooded homes , causing hardship to residents. The district administration issued alerts for evacuation around Nullah Leh and deployed rescue teams.
According to the Met Office, rain is expected in Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Jhelum, Attock, Chakwal, Khushab, Sargodha, Faisalabad, and Bhakkar. Showers are also likely in Sialkot, Narowal, Gujranwala, Gujrat, and Mandi Bahauddin.
Intermittent showers were reported in parts of Lahore, bringing down the temperature to 24°C and breaking the spell of heat and humidity , Winds were recorded at 18 km/h with humidity levels at 88 percent.
Other cities, including Okara, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Hafizabad, Multan, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, and Layyah, may also receive rainfall at isolated places.
