Residents of twin cities face another day of rain, flooding fears

Rawalpindi and Islamabad experienced yet another day of heavy rainfall and flooding on Thursday, marking the fourth consecutive day of such weather. The Pakistan Meteorological Department, or Met Office, predicts more rain on Friday, warning of potential urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and surrounding regions. Rescue teams have been busy evacuating residents from flooded areas, with 12 people successfully rescued in Rawalpindi district on Thursday morning alone.

In Jhelum, Rescue 1122 teams rescued three stranded individuals, while heavy rains caused damage to roads and mini-dams, resulting in landslides in hilly areas. The Met Office recorded significant rainfall, with 66 mm at Islamabad International Airport, 46 mm in Rawalpindi, and 31 mm in Gawalmandi.

Residents in low-lying areas, particularly along Leh Nullah, spent another restless night fearing a flood-like situation, although water levels remained low after the morning rain. Local resident Amjad Hussain recounted the difficulties of shifting his belongings to a higher floor, as the rain had already damaged some of his household items.

Muhammad Naseer, another resident, expressed fear for his community, noting that the government had failed to address longstanding issues with drains and Leh Nullah despite annual recurrence of similar floods.

Heavy rainfall caused numerous electricity faults across Islamabad, with Iesco reporting challenges in restoring power due to underground cable and overhead transformer issues. Iesco's CEO, Chaudhry Khalid Mahmood, urged residents to prioritize safety during the rainfall and to avoid dangerous activities near electrical installations. Despite the challenging conditions, Iesco has been working diligently to restore electricity supply and address consumer complaints.