Record rainfall in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, pushed water levels in Nullah Lai toward the evacuation mark, prompting alerts and school closures.
Heavy rainfall in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, broke a 16-year record on Tuesday, September 1, sending water levels in Nullah Lai toward the critical evacuation mark and prompting authorities across the twin cities to move into emergency mode.
The downpour began at around 3:20am and continued until roughly 8am, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, submerging roads and pushing water into low-lying neighborhoods.
Rawalpindi Cantonment Board Chief Water Engineer Muhammad Atiq said the rainfall had broken a record dating back 16 years, with the last comparable downpour recorded in 2010. He noted that Cantonment areas received comparatively less rain, while upstream areas of Nullah Lai saw heavier rainfall, increasing the risk of flooding downstream.
Record Rainfall in Rawalpindi and Rising Nullah Lai Levels
According to Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Captain (retired) Nadeem Nasir, around 200 millimeters of rain was recorded in the city, described as its highest in three years.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority reported even higher figures in some localities, with New Katarian recording 230 millimeters, Chaklala 206 millimeters, and Shamsabad 203 millimeters. Islamabad’s E-11 sector recorded about 150 millimeters, where an overflowing drain sent water into homes and streets.
The Deputy Commissioner said the heaviest impact was around Nullah Lai, where drains flowing into it were backing up and pushing water into surrounding residential areas.
Water levels at Katarian rose to 29 feet, while the level at the Gawalmandi bridge was reported between 23.5 and 24 feet, according to the Water and Sanitation Agency. The evacuation threshold for Nullah Lai stands at 20 feet. Water levels at Katarian later began to recede, easing some of the immediate pressure.
Emergency Response and School Closures in the Twin Cities
Authorities declared a public holiday and closed all educational institutions in Rawalpindi and Islamabad as the water levels climbed. The Water and Sanitation Agency declared a rain emergency across Nullah Lai’s catchment areas, deploying teams and heavy machinery to low-lying locations including Liaquat Bagh, Committee Chowk, Murree Road, Dhoke Khabba, and Sadiqabad.
Deputy Commissioner Nasir placed relevant departments on high alert and directed residents living around Nullah Lai to move to safer locations. Rescue 1122 personnel were deployed around the drain, while the district administration kept teams ready for emergencies. The Cantonment Board placed all staff on high alert and set up an emergency center where residents could seek assistance around the clock, dividing the cantonment into six sections with flood relief camps.
Officials said no major emergency situation had been reported, with the Deputy Commissioner noting that only two emergency calls had been received during the peak of the downpour. Authorities urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel and continued monitoring Nullah Lai and nearby drainage channels for any further rise. The administration said accumulated water was expected to recede as levels in Nullah Lai declined.
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