RAWALPINDI: The Met Office predicted more rain and warned that there were chances of urban flooding in the next 12 to 18 hours as heavy rains continued in the twin cities on Tuesday.

Water level in Leh Nullah increased while rainwater inundated low-lying areas in the garrison city.

Rain started on Monday night and continued till Tuesday evening varying from moderate to heavy.

About 15 millimetres of rain was recorded near the airport, 54mm at Saidpur, 58mm at Zero Point, 202mm at Bokra and 43mm at Golra in Islamabad while 60mm rain was recorded in Shamsabad and 34mm in Chaklala in Rawalpindi.

According to an official, moist currents from the Arabian Sea are penetrating through the upper and central parts of the country.

Water level in Leh Nullah rises by 8.3 feet at Kattarian Bridge; Pindi’s low-lying areas inundated; more rains predicted

A strong westerly wave is affecting the upper and central parts of the country and may persist till Wednesday (today).

The official said rain and a windstorm is expected in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, upper/central Punjab, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir during daytime while hot and dry weather will prevail elsewhere in the country.

On Tuesday, water level in Leh Nullah rose by 8.3 feet at Kattarian Bridge and 8 feet at Gawalmandi.

It was another rainy day for residents of the city who fear that a further rise in water level in Leh Nullah may cause flooding.

The day was overcast, with rains continuing till 3pm in the twin cities which brought the temperature down to 21 degrees.

People were seen draining out rainwater that entered their houses and shops in Chemist Market, Moti Bazaar and adjoining bazaars.

The rain also caused extensive damage to roads, some of which had been re-laid only recently.

Nadeem Colony, Javed Colony, Muslim Colony, Dhoke Ratta, Ganjmandi, Jamia Masjid Road, Banni Chowk, Sadiqabad, Satellite Town, Commercial Market, College Road, Bohar Bazaar, Naya Mohallah, Iqbal Road, Purana Qila, Raja Bazaar, Kohati Bazaar, Mochi Bazaar, Mohanpura, Nanakpura, Arjan Nagar, Amarpura, Service Road along Murree Road, Khayaban-i-Sir Syed and 7th Road were inundated.

Deputy Commissioner Tahir Farooq on Tuesday visited different areas of the garrison city especially Committee Chowk, Sadiqabad and Liaquat Bagh. He asked officials from Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) and other relevant authorities to remain alert as there were chances of more heavy rain.

Talking to Dawn, Wasa Managing Director Mohammad Tanveer said the agencyand all other departments had been alerted to deal with any emergency but no such situation emerged.

He said water was cleared from Committee Chowk within an hour,

adding that there was a brief spell of heavy rain and the situation remained under control.

He said four flood response units had been established in city areas and staff deployed round the clock in three shifts.

Published in Dawn, June 22nd, 2022