Heavy rain pushes Nullah Lai above danger mark

Heavy rain pushes Nullah Lai above danger mark

RAWALPINDI: Torrential rain in Rawalpindi and Islamabad has pushed the water level in Nullah Lai above the danger mark, prompting authorities to call in the Pakistan Army to assist with emergency response efforts around the Gawalmandi area.

Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Captain (retd) Nadeem Nasir said the city had received around 200 millimetres of rain, making Tuesday’s rainfall the heaviest recorded in the city in the past three years.

He said Nullah Lai had taken the biggest impact from the intense downpour, while several drains feeding into the waterway were experiencing backflow. The rising pressure forced water out of the drains and into surrounding areas, increasing the risk of urban flooding.

The deputy commissioner expressed hope that the situation would begin improving within an hour as the water level in Nullah Lai started to fall.

Authorities have also dispatched evacuation teams to low-lying areas as a precaution. The rise in Nullah Lai’s water level caused water from adjoining drains to spill into nearby residential areas.

According to Nadeem Nasir, the water level at Katarian had reached its highest point, creating additional pressure on the Gawalmandi area. He said the situation in the affected localities should gradually improve once the water level in Nullah Lai decreases, allowing accumulated water to drain away.

The district administration, Pakistan Army, Rescue 1122 and other relevant departments remain on alert and are coordinating relief and rescue operations. The deputy commissioner said the administration had so far received two emergency calls.

He added that water had accumulated at several locations, but such temporary flooding usually recedes once the drainage system clears. The Triple One Brigade also remained in contact with the district administration to support emergency operations if required.

Meanwhile, the district administration announced a holiday for educational institutions in the city areas because of the heavy rainfall and water accumulation on major roads. Officials said students could face difficulties travelling to and from schools amid the deteriorating weather and road conditions.

Authorities have urged residents, particularly those living in low-lying areas and near Nullah Lai, to remain cautious and follow instructions from the district administration and rescue agencies.