Fresh rain spell expected in Islamabad, Rawalpindi from September 4: NDMA

ISLAMABAD: Rain is expected to continue across most parts of Pakistan until September 7, while Islamabad and Rawalpindi could receive another spell of heavy rain from September 4, according to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) expert Tayyab Shah.

Speaking on Hum News programme Subah Se Aagay, Shah said Islamabad and Chaklala recorded relatively higher rainfall on Wednesday, while warning that another spell was expected to hit the twin cities on September 4.

“The new spell of heavy rain expected in Islamabad and Rawalpindi on September 4 could create a flood risk in vulnerable areas,” Shah said, as the NDMA issued an alert ahead of the forecast.

He said rainfall was expected to continue across most parts of the country until September 7, with the northern regions particularly vulnerable to flooding.

Shah warned that the combination of heavy rain and glacier melt could worsen the situation in mountainous areas. “The risk of flooding is higher in Pakistan’s northern regions, where rainfall and glacier melt can combine to create a dangerous situation,” he said.

He also linked the growing threat to climate change, saying global warming was contributing to instability in Pakistan’s glaciers.

“Pakistan is facing the growing impacts of climate change, and instability in our glaciers is one of the consequences of global warming,” Shah said.

The NDMA expert said several areas in the north could be affected by the continued rainfall and added that the disaster management authority had already alerted relevant departments to prepare for a possible flood situation.

Twin cities receive an average of 16 millimetres of rain

Rain continued in Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Wednesday, but the intensity eased after Tuesday’s torrential downpour caused flooding and evacuations in low-lying areas.

The twin cities received an average of 16 millimetres of rain, with Saidpur recording the highest rainfall at 45mm, followed by H-8 at 30mm and New Kattarian at 13mm.

Water levels in Leh Nullah remained below pre-alert thresholds, standing at 11 feet at Kattarian and six feet at Gawalmandi. No pre-alert was issued.

WASA Managing Director Azizullah Khan said staff and heavy machinery remained deployed in vulnerable areas as further rain was forecast. He said damaged sections of the Leh Nullah embankments would be repaired once weather conditions improve, while teams would clear blockages caused by the flooding.

Tuesday’s rain pushed Leh Nullah to 29 feet at Kattarian and 23.5 feet at Gawalmandi, prompting evacuations. Rescue 1122 said 60 people were safely evacuated.

In Islamabad, overflowing drains flooded roads and sealed basements in E-11, while blocked drainage channels were blamed for flooding in Ghauri Town Phase 2.

Authorities continue to monitor low-lying areas, drainage systems and traffic conditions. The Met Office has forecast further rain in upper parts of the country until September 5, with a risk of urban flooding.