Groundwater surfaces on Islamabad Expressway after heavy rains

ISLAMABAD: Rain has lashed different parts of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, making the weather pleasant, while recent heavy rains have also caused groundwater to surface at several locations in the capital.

A spring has emerged from the middle of Islamabad Expressway near the Zero Point Interchange, prompting Capital Development Authority (CDA) teams to work to control the flow.

Director General Water Islamabad Sardar Khan Zamri said there was no leakage in any water supply line at the location.

Groundwater surfaces after heavy rains

Zamri said the water appeared to be groundwater that had resurfaced after the recent heavy rains.

“It is apparently groundwater, which has appeared on the surface after a long time following the recent heavy rains,” he said.

The DG Water said he had personally inspected the site with a team and confirmed that the CDA had no water supply line at the location on Islamabad Expressway.

“This is spring water,” Zamri said.

He said water had also started emerging from different points beneath the hill alongside the bridge. Similar groundwater had been observed in the adjoining hilly areas beneath the monument, he added.

Zamri said a similar incident had occurred at the same location in 2011, when water started emerging from the ground before disappearing on its own after a few days.

CDA works to control water flow

CDA teams are working to stop the spring water from emerging in the middle of the road, according to the DG Water.

He said the teams were cleaning the drainage line alongside the road and carrying out deeper excavation to reduce the pressure of the water.

Rain forecast across KP

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said Peshawar would have partly cloudy skies and pleasant weather, with the city’s temperature expected to rise to 32 degrees Celsius. Humidity was recorded at 75%.

Rain with thunderstorms was forecast in Dir, Chitral, Swat and Kohistan, while rain was also expected in Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Buner, Malakand, Nowshera and Peshawar.

The department forecast thunderstorms and gusty winds in Mardan, Charsadda, Swabi, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber and Kurram. Rain was also expected in Orakzai, Hangu, Kohat, Karak, Tank, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan and Waziristan.

The department warned that some upper districts could face flash floods and landslides during the period.

Cherat recorded the highest rainfall in the region at 30 millimetres on the previous day, followed by Parachinar with 29mm, Balakot with 24mm and Saidu Sharif with 22mm.

Malakand recorded 20mm, Dir 12mm, while Bannu, Kakul and Takht Bhai received 9mm each.

Karachi, Lahore weather

In Karachi, the maximum temperature was expected to remain at 33 degrees Celsius, while the minimum was forecast at 25 to 27 degrees Celsius. Humidity was expected to remain at 80%.

Lahore had clear skies, with hot and humid conditions persisting. The temperature was 28 degrees Celsius, with 30 degrees Celsius being felt.

The city’s maximum temperature was expected to reach 33 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature was recorded at 25 degrees Celsius. Humidity was expected to remain at 80%.

PMD had also forecast rain in Lahore.