Islamabad/Rawalpindi, July 17, 2025: Extremely heavy monsoon rains have caused major flooding and destruction across Pakistan’s Punjab province, especially in the capital Islamabad and nearby Rawalpindi (“twin cities”).
- Record Rainfall: The twin cities received over 240mm of rain in just 18 hours. Chakwal district experienced a devastating cloudburst, dumping 449mm of rain.
- Urban Flooding: Streets in Rawalpindi and Islamabad flooded deeply. The water level in Rawalpindi’s main Nullah Leh stream rose dangerously high (22-23 feet), forcing evacuation warnings and sirens.
- Emergency Response: A rain emergency was declared. Rescue teams (Rescue 1122), the army, and local authorities are working to drain water, rescue stranded people, and monitor flood channels. The army was called in to help in Rawalpindi.
- Casualties and Damage: At least 43 people died in Punjab in the last 24 hours due to rain-related incidents (collapsed roofs, walls, accidents). Since June 16th, around 90 deaths have occurred in the province. Over 130 incidents of roof/wall collapses were reported across Punjab in the recent rains.
- Province-Wide Impact: Flooding also hit Jhelum, Sheikhupura (217mm rain), and other areas. Rivers and canals overflowed, making rescues difficult. The historic Katas Raj temple was flooded.
- National Toll: Nationwide, about 180 people have died since the monsoon season began in late June, including 70 children. Balochistan province also reported 16 recent rain-related deaths.
- More Rain Expected: The weather service warns heavy rain, storms, and flooding risks will continue for the next 24-48 hours in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and many other Punjab districts (like Lahore, Chakwal, Jhelum, Faisalabad, Sialkot).
- Warnings: Authorities urge people living near streams and in low-lying areas to be ready to evacuate if sirens sound. Everyone is advised to avoid flooded roads and rivers. The Rawalpindi deputy commissioner declared a one-day holiday, asking people to stay home unless necessary.
Key Actions: The Prime Minister will visit the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) for a briefing. Army and rescue teams continue relief efforts, providing food, medical aid, and evacuations. The article describes severe flooding in Punjab province, particularly affecting Islamabad and Rawalpindi (“twin cities”), with extreme rainfall amounts (over 240mm) causing urban flooding. There’s mention of a cloudburst in Chakwal (449mm rain), rescue operations by army and emergency services, casualties (43 deaths in Punjab in 24 hours), and warnings for more rain. I’ll focus on:- The scale of rainfall and immediate impacts- Emergency responses (army deployment, evacuations)- Casualty and damage statistics- Ongoing risks and warnings- Broader national context (Balochistan rains, total monsoon deaths)Need to simplify technical terms like “millimetres of rain” to “heavy rainfall”, “nullah” to “streams”, and condense bureaucratic details while keeping essential facts. The 300-word limit means omitting some specifics (like exact rainfall at each location) but preserving the overall crisis narrative and safety warnings. The user seems to be either a student needing digestible news summaries or someone with limited English proficiency – either way, clarity and brevity are key. I’ll maintain a neutral tone while conveying urgency about the disaster.
