Scattered rain inundates low-lying areas in Rawalpindi district

Scattered rain lashed Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Tuesday, flooding some low-lying areas and prompting local authorities to stay on alert as more rain was forecast for the region, according to Dawn Pakistan.

The rain began late Monday and continued into Tuesday afternoon with brief breaks, bringing a noticeable drop in temperature and giving residents a cooler start to the day. The Pakistan Meteorological Department recorded varying rainfall across Islamabad and Rawalpindi, with heavier showers in some parts of the capital and surrounding areas.

Emergency teams were called into action in Bharwana village, where more than 20 people were trapped in water released from the Daducha Dam site. District Emergency Officer Sibghatullah said two families had gone back to collect belongings from land acquired for the dam project when they became stranded. Rescue 1122 later evacuated everyone safely, along with their possessions, by evening.

In response to the weather outlook, the district administration, Wasa, Civil Defence and Rescue 1122 remained on high alert. The Met office warned that monsoon currents and a westerly wave could bring further widespread rain, windstorms and thundershowers across parts of Punjab, Islamabad and other regions, with a risk of urban flooding, landslides and flash flooding in vulnerable areas.

Commissioner Salman Ghani chaired a review meeting on monsoon preparedness and instructed private housing societies, including DHA and Bahria Town, to actively participate in the district’s emergency planning. He told societies located near the Soan River to install early warning systems, prepare emergency response plans and coordinate closely with the administration during the monsoon season.

He also directed officials to keep evacuation plans ready, maintain round-the-clock control rooms and ensure emergency helplines remained functional. Special attention, he said, should be given to low-lying settlements and communities near rivers, streams and storm-water channels.

The weather also affected nearby Jhelum district, where flash flooding after continuous rain inundated localities in Sohawa, Dina, Domeli and Pind Dadan Khan. Local residents said water flowing down from hill areas was blocked by road construction work, causing streets and homes to flood. Authorities said drainage teams were working to clear rainwater and keep the sewerage system functional.

This report is based on a monitored public feed and attributed to Dawn Pakistan. Source: Dawn Pakistan - https://www.dawn.com/news/2017341/scattered-rain-inundates-low-lying-areas-in-rawalpindi-district