By Urdu Report Editorial Team
ISLAMABAD: Rescue authorities have placed emergency services on high alert in Islamabad and Rawalpindi following heavy rainfall that has continued since last night, raising concerns over flooding in low-lying areas.
According to rescue officials, the water level in Nullah Lai reached 21 feet at Katarian and 17 feet at the Gujmandi Bridge in Rawalpindi. However, officials said the water level is now gradually receding.
In view of the rising water level and the risk of flooding in Nullah Lai, Rescue 1122 and the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) have been placed on high alert.
WEATHER ALERT (Aug 18–20): The Pakistan Meteorological Department has issued a warning for heavy torrential rainfall expected over the next 24 hours.#WeatherAlert #MonsoonAlert #PakistanWeather #PMD #HeavyRain #UrbanFlooding #StaySafePakistan pic.twitter.com/qXlW5VAMml
— Pak Met Department محکمہ موسمیات (@pmdgov) August 18, 2026
warning Issued
Rescue authorities said warning sirens were sounded in areas surrounding Nullah Lai, while announcements were being made urging residents to remain cautious and avoid vulnerable areas.
According to rainfall data, 66mm of rain was recorded in Saidpur, 52mm in Golra and 65mm in Bokra. Meanwhile, Pirwadhai received 63mm, Chaklala 47mm and Shamsabad 50mm of rainfall.
WASA Managing Director said teams have been deployed along Nullah Lai and in low-lying areas to deal with any emergency situation.
Heavy machinery deployed
Heavy machinery has also been deployed in Sadiqabad, Dhok Khabba, Pirwadhai, Arya Mohalla and Bohar Bazaar, according to the WASA chief.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned of heavy to torrential rainfall over the next 24 hours. The department said Islamabad, the Potohar region, upper Punjab, Kashmir, upper and central Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan may receive rain accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms, with isolated areas likely to experience heavy rainfall.
urban flooding
The PMD has also warned of a risk of urban flooding in low-lying areas of Mardan, Swabi, Peshawar, Nowshera, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot and Lahore from the night of August 18 through August 20.
The weather department further warned that landslides could occur in mountainous areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galiyat and Kashmir during the period.
Authorities have urged citizens to remain alert, avoid unnecessary travel through flooded or low-lying areas and follow official safety instructions.
