RAWALPINDI: Heavy rain lashed the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Monday afternoon, disrupting normal life and inundating low-lying areas. However, the showers brought a pleasant change in the weather.

The rain continued for about two hours with small intervals. Rainwater accumulated in streets and low-lying areas of Rawalpindi and turned roads into small ponds.

The Met Office recorded at Chaklala 31 millimetres of rain, Shamsabad 3mm, Pirwadhai 21mm, New Kattarian 45mm in Rawalpindi, and Golra 25mm, Zero Point 7mm and Saidpur 1mm in Islamabad.

A Met official said moist currents were approaching upper parts of the country. A westerly trough is also present over northern parts.

He said rain-wind/thundershower (with isolated heavy falls) was likely at isolated places in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Potohar region, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir and adjoining hilly areas. Hot and humid weather is expected in other plain areas of the country.

The Met Office predicted more rains and warned about urban flooding, adding moderate to heavy rainfall may cause landslides in Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Battagram, Buner, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Murree, Galliyat Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir.

It stated that heavy rains may cause urban flooding in low-lying areas of Mardan, Swabi, Peshawar, Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Gujrat during the forecast period. Travelers and tourists are advised to remain cautious during the forecast period.

On the other hand, the rain choked sewerage system and Rawalpindi’s downtown localities were flooded with one foot water.

Most of the residents opted to stay indoors in order to avoid the mud and water logging on streets and roads. Business activity was also disrupted as all main markets, city centres, bazaars and shops presented deserted look.

People had a tough time in draining out water in many parts of the city. There were also reports that traffic signals on the city’s many roads went out of order, and traffic remained suspended at many squares.

During the rain, motorists and pedestrians faced great hardships in reaching their destinations due to traffic jams on inundated roads. Many cars and motorcycles were seen stranded in rainwater.

When contacted, Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) Managing Director Azizullah Khan said though there was 45mm rain in catchment areas, Leh Nullah did not rise above six feet in Gawalmandi and seven feet in Kattarian.

He said Wasa and other departments were alert to deal with any emergency after the prediction of heavy showers in the next three to four days. He said that the flood response teams would be active to drain out water from low-lying areas.

Meanwhile, the local administration directed all concerned departments to remain on high alert in view of the ongoing eighth spell of monsoon rains. It said Rescue 1122, Wasa, Civil Defence and all other relevant teams must remain present in the field and ensure an immediate response in case of any emergency.

The Traffic Police has been directed to maintain the smooth flow of traffic during rainfall and arrange alternative routes in low-lying areas. Wasa has been instructed to keep the drainage system fully operational and ensure that all pumps and machinery remain functional for the effective disposal of rainwater and uninterrupted sewerage flow.

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2026