Islamabad, Pindi face urban flooding with over 40 deaths in Punjab amid heavy rains

• Islamabad, Rawalpindi receive over 240mm of downpour.
• Cloudburst in Chakwal causes alarming 449mm of rain.
• At least 43 more die in rain-related incidents across Punjab.

RAWALPINDI, LAHORE: Heavy monsoon rainfall has wreaked havoc in different parts of Punjab, killing at least 43 people in the last 24 hours and causing urban flooding in Islamabad and Rawalpindi which have received over 240 millimetres of downpour over a span of 18 hours.

As per a Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) spokesperson, the authority's managing director reached out to the Pakistan Army's 111 Brigade as it was decided to call in the army in case of an emergency.

With the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecasting more downpour, sirens were sounded in areas surrounding Nullah Leh as the water level rose by 22 feet prompting the Met Office to issue evacuation orders.

Wasa has said that a rain emergency has been imposed and its teams and heavy machinery have been deployed in low-lying areas of Rawalpindi with personnel busy in drainage efforts to address accumulated water.

"Nullah Leh and drains across the city are being continuously monitored," said Wasa Rawalpindi Manaing Director (MD) Saleem Ashraf, adding that the water level at Katarian was 22 feet and 23 feet at Gowalmandi Bridge.

Meanwhile, Rescue 1122 is on high alert, with its district administration officer advising people to safe places before urban flooding and to evacuate dilapidated buildings.

In a statement, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said emergency was declared in various areas of the province due to “unprecedented” stormy rains and flooding.

"Government institutions are working with zeal and utmost effort. The administration has been directed to keep the public informed through sirens and announcements," she wrote on her X handle.

She also urged the public to cooperate with the institutions and follow safety guidelines.

Meanwhile, in Rawalpindi, the water level in the Nullah Leh has started decreasing as the rain finally stopped after 18 hours.

Cloudburst in Chakwal

Apart from the twin cities, various areas across Punjab continue to be battered by heavy rains. A cloud burst was witnessed in Chakwal, causing as much as 449mm of rain.

Several low-lying areas have been inundated with water, entering the houses. The district administration has said that a rescue operation was underway to move citizens to safer places.

As per the additional deputy commissioner, the dire situation is a result of a cloudburst.

"Civil administration is working to rescue citizens," said Bilal Bin Hafeez.

Separately, continuous rain overnight has caused flooding in rivers and canals in Jhelum with the district administration calling in the army and a helicopter to rescue those trapped in flood water — which has entered surrounding areas.

Rescue teams are facing difficulties due to high water levels.

Also, Sheikhupura and the surrounding areas have also been battered by heavy rains measuring up to 217mm.

Speaking on the heavy rains and situation across Punjab, Secretary Emergency Services Dr Rizwan said that more than 400mm of downpour was recorded in Chakwal and therefore, managing the situation was challenging.

Various small dams have overflowed in the district, causing a flood-like situation. Furthermore, water has also entered the historic Katas Raj temple located near the town of Choa Saidanshah in the Potohar region.

"Climate change is a big challenge all over the world," he said while speaking on Geo News' programme "Geo Pakistan".

"So far, the roofs of about 310 houses have collapsed in Punjab during the monsoon season and 15 traffic accidents have occurred due to rain [in the province].

"Around 90 deaths have occurred in various accidents across Punjab since June 16," Dr Rizwan revealed.

With the rescue department's statistics showing at least 43 deaths in various rain-related incidents across Punjab since yesterday, the Rawalpindi deputy commissioner has announced a one-day holiday in the district.

"The public is asked to stay at home and not to leave their homes unnecessarily," read a statement issued by the DC office on X.

On the overall situation in the province, a rescue spokesperson said at least 130 incidents of roof and wall collapses reported across Punjab.

Out of the total 43 fatalities, 16 occurred in Lahore, five in Sheikhupura, four each in Okara and Pakpatan and two in Chakwal.

Nine people died in Faisalabad, one each in Mandi Bahauddin, Nankana and Sahiwal.

Apart from Punjab, Balochistan is also reeling from torrential rains, with Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Director General Jahanzeb Khan Jahanzaib Khan Ghorezai saying that 16 people have died and six have been injured in various rain-related incidents recently.

 "11 houses completely destroyed in Balochistan due to rain, 47 suffer partial damage," he said while speaking on "Geo Pakistan".

He added that monsoon rains are likely to continue till the beginning of September.

Rescue efforts, PM to visit NDMA

Rescue efforts are underway by civil and military personnel in various areas in light of various rain-related incidents. In Jhelum, 50 rescuers, using six boats, are carrying out relief efforts and have rescued 57 people from flash floods.

Rescue teams are also engaged in operations in Mianwali, Rawalpindi, Chakwal, Attock, DG Khan and Rahim Yar Khan.

Rescue spokesperson has said that 198 people were rescued and shifted to the hospital in 129 incidents yesterday and a total of 641 people and 176 animals have been rescued from all over Punjab.

Also, the Pakistan Army has also commenced relief operations in various flood-affected areas.

Army personnel have reached Dhok Bhidar and Darapur in Jhelum to transport flood victims to safe places and are providing food and medical assistance along with other necessary facilities to the victims.

Furthermore, sources say that in light of the alarming situation, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will visit the NDMA office and will be briefed on the rains and flood situation and the damage caused so far.

More showers

Heavy rains have been linked to 54 deaths in the last 24 hours taking the toll to about 180 since the arrival of the monsoon in late June, the said National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Thursday.

"In the last 24 hours, 54 people were killed and 227 injured across Pakistan, with the majority of fatalities reported from Punjab," a spokesperson for the NDMA told AFP.

She said around 180 people have been killed, including 70 children, and about 500 injured since the start of the monsoon on June 26.

The NDMA has said that cities across the country are likely to experience flooding while rivers and canals are likely to overflow due to heavy rains in the next 24 hours.

"Heavy rain, including wind and storm, is likely to occur in Punjab districts including Lahore, Chakwal, Attock, Jhelum, Khushab, Sargodha, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Okara, Kasur, Sheikhupura and Hafizabad in the next 12 hours," it warned.

Meanwhile, Islamabad and Rawalpindi are likely to continue experiencing intermittent heavy showers for the next 24 to 48 hours as well.

"Residents of the nearby and low-lying areas of Nullah Leh should be prepared to evacuate immediately in case of a warning siren and cooperate with the relevant agencies," the NDMA warned while advising people to avoid crossing rivers, bridges and flooded roads in case of high flow.