Rawalpindi on High Alert as Rain Emergency Enforced

News Desk 

Rawalpindi: The Rawalpindi administration continued to remain on high alert Monday following the imposition of a rain emergency across the city, amid forecasts of heavy rainfall and potential flooding from July 15 to August 31.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), 33 mm of rainfall was recorded at Saidpur, 18 mm at Golra, and 11 mm at Bokra till Monday evening.

Commissioner Rawalpindi Engineer Aamir Khattak chaired a meeting of the Divisional Coordination Committee to assess the situation caused by persistent rains in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner Murree, Additional Commissioner Coordination, Additional Deputy Commissioner General, and representatives from Rescue 1122, Civil Defence, Disaster Management Authority, Rawalpindi and Chaklala Cantonment Boards, and other concerned departments.

Officials informed the meeting that the Met Office had issued a warning of heavy rains expected in Rawalpindi, which could potentially lead to flood conditions in vulnerable areas during the forecast period.

In light of the forecast, the Commissioner directed all departments, especially the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), to remain fully alert. He ordered the immediate cancellation of leaves for all WASA staff to ensure maximum preparedness during the rain emergency. WASA was specifically instructed to focus on low-lying areas and guarantee prompt drainage to prevent urban flooding.

Digital monitoring of Leh Nullah is underway, and real-time updates are being shared with the public to increase awareness about changing water levels. Officials stated that round-the-clock surveillance of storm drains and nullahs is ongoing, and a central control room has been established to coordinate emergency response efforts.

Rescue 1122, WASA, and other relevant agencies have been equipped with boats, life jackets, and other rescue gear. A mock drill simulating a flood emergency has also been conducted to test preparedness.

Seven flood relief camps have been set up in schools located near low-lying areas, providing essential facilities such as food, clean water, medical aid, shelter, and security to those affected by potential flooding.

Meanwhile, the National Weather Forecasting Centre warned that the water level in Leh Nullah could rise significantly — up to 11.4 feet at Kattarian and 8.3 feet at Gawalmandi — in the coming days.

WASA Managing Director Saleem Ashraf assured that the agency is fully prepared to handle any emergency. WASA staff, along with heavy machinery, has already been deployed to vulnerable areas such as the Committee Chowk Underpass on Murree Road. He added that while current water flow in drains remains normal, monitoring continues across the city.