An early Wednesday morning spell of heavy rain broke the intense heat in the twin cities Islamabad and Rawalpindi, cooling temperatures and ending the humidity.
The weather became pleasant, and underground reservoirs and large dams, such as Rawal and Khanpur, have experienced improved water levels.
The Meteorological Department has predicted additional rain, which led to the declaration of a rain emergency by the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA).
As a result of the shower, the water level in Nullah Leh was 12 feet. Water had also invaded low-lying areas, such as sections of Murree Road.
WASA crews, with heavy machinery, were working on water drainage activities. The rain in the twin cities accumulated over 82 millimetres, with Saidpur village in Islamabad seeing the heaviest 82mm.
Other points reported: Golra 25mm, Bokra 68mm, PMD 33mm, Shamsabad 56mm, Chaklala 53mm, and Pirwadhai 53mm. The water level of Nullah Leh touched 12 feet at Katarian Bridge and 10 feet at Gawalmandi Bridge but started receding rapidly once the rain had ended.
Member of National Assembly Tahira Aurangzeb, Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqar Cheema, and WASA Managing Director Muhammad Saleem Ashraf visited Gawalmandi Bridge after the rain to take stock.
MD WASA pointed out that the water had run rapidly in Nullah Leh because of timely cleaning and said WASA was on high alert as per the weather department’s predictions. Leaves of the staff were suspended, and staff with machinery had been posted in low-lying areas.
The MD WASA is personally overseeing the drainage operations.
He added that the government imposed a rain emergency on the orders of the Chief Minister of Punjab.
Authorities set up flood relief camps, deployed staff, and equipped them to handle any emergency. They continued monitoring stormwater drains throughout the city and reported no cases of overflow.
