RAWALPINDI:
Torrential rain swept across Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Friday, intensifying the chill and bringing daily life to a near standstill as rainwater seeped through dilapidated structures, prompting municipal authorities to issue precautionary evacuation notices to owners and tenants.
Prolonged power outages disrupted commercial activity during the day, further hampering routine life. Severe waterlogging on major roads and residential areas compounded the disruption, while thick cloud cover, thunder and lightning continued. Light hail was also reported in several places.
All low-lying areas were inundated and important arteries including Mall Road, Murree Road, Rawal Road, Saddar Markets, underpasses and inner city streets were inundated, making movement extremely difficult. The drainage system was affected, leaving sewage standing in vulnerable neighborhoods, with water levels reaching up to a foot in some areas.
Despite the inclement weather, vendors selling dry fruits, groundnuts, chickpeas, hot soups, samosas, pakoras, tea and coffee reported strong sales. Construction work on the Kacheri Underpass project was suspended due to standing water and silt, while attendance at courts, offices and schools remained markedly low. Birds were seen sheltering in dense clusters of trees.
With continuous rainfall, the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) introduced a red alert throughout the city. At the same time, record snowfall in Murree and other hilly areas attracted a large number of visitors.
Read more: Rain and snow trigger a cold wave over Pakistan
Wasa Managing Director Muhammad Saleem Ashraf said all manpower and resources had been fully mobilized to deal with any emergency. He said heavy machinery and field teams were deployed to ensure speedy drainage in vulnerable areas including Liaquat Bagh, Committee Chowk underpass, Murree Road and Sadiqabad where drainage operations continued round the clock. He added that the Nullah Lai was being closely monitored and remained within normal flow limits even as emergency teams were on standby.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, 50 millimeters of rainfall was recorded in the twin cities during the last 24 hours, with the highest rainfall in Saidpur (46 mm). Heavy snowfall in Murree and Galiyat contributed to a sharp drop in temperatures in the federal capital.
The Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) issued a warning on January 26 and 27, predicting heavy rain and snowfall in most districts of Punjab, including Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Multan and Bahawalpur divisions. All relevant departments are on emergency alert, with alarm centers working around the clock.
PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel and advised tourists in Murree to strictly follow official guidelines. He has asked the public to observe precautions and contact PDMA’s helpline 1129 in case of emergency.
