Rain turns weather pleasant in twin cities; several downtown areas flooded

Rain brought pleasant weather to the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Saturday morning. The downpour began at 8:40am and lasted for an hour, cooling the temperature to 29 degrees Celsius. Downtown areas were submerged in water from the heavy rain. Authorities, including the district administration, Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa), civil defense department, and Rescue 1122, remained on high alert for any emergencies.

However, the power supply was disrupted in certain regions due to the weather. Iesco officials reported suspending electricity service because of the rain.

Meteorological officials recorded 3mm of rainfall at Saidpur, Golra, and the airport in Islamabad; 4mm in Bokra and Zero Point; 7mm in Shamsabad; 10mm in Kattarian; 1mm in Pirwadhai; 3mm in Gawalmandi; and 2mm in Kutchery. The forecast predicts clear skies in the twin cities within the next 24 hours. Concurrently, rainwater collected at Committee Chowk and Faizabad underpasses, as well as metro bus stations. Wasa officials worked diligently in the afternoon to channel the water away.

A Meteorological Department official noted that moist currents were advancing through the upper and central regions of the country. A westerly wave was affecting higher parts of the nation and was expected to continue until the following day. Hot and humid conditions were anticipated for most areas, although scattered rain-windstorms and thunderstorms were predicted in upper/central Punjab and isolated locations in Gilgit-Baltistan, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Kashmir.

Wasa Managing Director Azizullah assured that Leh Nullah remained stable at 4.5 feet, and the situation remained under control due to the pre-monsoon dredging of the nullah, as reported by Dawn.