Heavy rain hit Islamabad and Rawalpindi overnight, causing the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) to declare a high alert and rain emergency. They are worried about flooding in low areas.
What WASA is Doing:
- Emergency teams with equipment were sent out immediately.
- They focused on draining water from key spots like Committee Chowk Underpass and Murree Road.
- They are constantly watching the water level in Nullah Lai (a major storm drain).
How Much Rain Fell:
- Saidpur: 80 mm (very heavy rain in just one hour)
- PMD Office: 40 mm
- Shamsabad: 20 mm
- Pirwadhai: 15 mm
Nullah Lai Water Levels (Now Receded):
- Rose to 11 feet at Katarian during the rain.
- Rose to 5 feet at Gawalmandi Bridge during the rain.
- Levels dropped back down after the rain stopped.
Public Warning:
- People are advised to stay away from low-lying areas.
- Contact WASA’s helpline immediately in an emergency.
National Impact:
- Over the past week, heavy rain and flash floods across Pakistan have killed 64 people and injured 117.
- Worst-hit areas:
- Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa: 23 dead (including 10 children)
- Punjab: 21 dead
- Sindh: 15 dead
- Balochistan: 5 dead
WASA says they are fully prepared and working with other agencies to handle the situation. For this flooding article, I’ll focus on:- The immediate situation (heavy rains and alert status)- Key rainfall measurements- WASA’s emergency response – Nullah Lai water levels – Casualty figures from NDMA- Safety advice for citizens The challenge is condensing all details while keeping critical data like rainfall amounts (80mm at Saidpur) and death toll (64 nationwide). I’ll prioritize public safety information and avoid technical terms like “catchment area.” Noticing the tragic casualty numbers, I’ll present them factually but sensitively. The summary should end with actionable advice (contacting helplines) since this is emergency information.
