RAWALPINDI: Heavy rain lashed the twin cities early Saturday morning, turning the weather pleasant but at the same time creating inconvenience for the residents of low-lying areas.

Rain started in the early morning and continued for half an hour, with its intensity varying from light to heavy. However, the sun soon came out and the weather became clear.

Rainwater accumulated at Committee Chowk underpass, forcing the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) to use water suction machines to drain water out of the underpass and the main roads.

The Meteorological Department recorded 6mm of rainfall in Chaklala, 15mm at Shamsabad and 14mm at Kutchery in Rawalpindi, whereas 30mm of rain was recorded at Zero Point, 24mm at Bokra, 11mm at Saidpur and 6mm at Golra in Islamabad. It has forecast dry weather in the twin cities during the next 24 hours.

According to the Met Office official, continental air was prevailing over most parts of the country and that hot and dry weather was expected. However,rainmay occur at isolated places in the upper parts of the country.

Wasa spokesman Umer Farooq said the agency drained out rainwater from Airport Road, Committee Chowk underpass, Liaquat Bagh, Sadiqabad, Satellite Town, Jamia Masjid Road and Murree Road within two hours.

He said water level in Leh Nullah at Katarian Bridge remained six feet and five feet at Gawalmandi, adding that the agency’s flood response teams would remain active throughout the month though the formal monsoon season ends in midSeptember.

Published in Dawn, September 10th, 2023