Heavy Rain Causes Flooding in Rawalpindi: Emergency Measures in Place as Water Levels Rise

RAWALPINDI – After continuous heavy rainfall, a severe flood situation has emerged in the **Nullah Lai** in Rawalpindi. The water levels have risen to dangerous levels, prompting authorities to sound alarms at the **Gwalmandi Nullah Lai Bridge** to warn of potential danger.

According to **WASA** and local administration, the water level at **Gwalmandi** has reached **15 feet**, and if it crosses **20 feet**, evacuation of nearby communities will begin. The water level at **Kattarian Bridge** has been recorded at **13 feet**. As a result, **flash flooding** has occurred in **Nullah Lai**, and the adjoining drainage channels have started overflowing.

Many low-lying areas in the city have been flooded, trapping hundreds of people, while evacuation has become difficult due to the rising water levels. Affected areas include **Mehr Colony**, **Dhoke Hasu**, **Pirodahi**, **Khayaban-e-Sir Syed**, **Fauji Colony**, and **Dhoke Matkial**. In these neighborhoods, rainwater has entered several homes, and in some places, the access bridges have been completely submerged.

Authorities have urged residents to follow safety instructions and move to higher ground as the situation continues to worsen.

Meanwhile, a **rescue operation** is underway in **Ladyaan Village** along **Chakri Road**, where a family is stranded on their rooftop. A **helicopter** has been dispatched to rescue the trapped family, but previous rescue attempts were unsuccessful, prompting air assistance.

**Rescue 1122** has been placed on **high alert** across Rawalpindi and surrounding areas following the heavy rainfall. So far, **27 emergency cases** have been reported, with rescue operations ongoing at **22 locations**.

A total of **300 Rescue 1122 personnel** are participating in the emergency relief efforts, along with **12 ambulances**, **4 rescue vehicles**, **2 water rescue vehicles**, **30 motorbike rescuers**, and **8 fire vehicles**. To date, **19 individuals** have been rescued, with one person transferred to a hospital for treatment.

In **New Chakra** and **Rawalpindi Tench Bhata Jan Colony**, rainwater has flooded residential homes, causing significant distress to residents who have called for assistance from the emergency teams.

Due to the severe weather conditions, the **District Administration** has declared a **one-day holiday** in Rawalpindi. The **Deputy Commissioner** issued a notification advising people to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel.

In light of the emergency, **Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif** has called for an urgent meeting to review the flood situation. Sources indicate that the Prime Minister has requested a detailed report from the **Chief Commissioner Rawalpindi** and **MD WASA** to assess the damage caused by the rain and evaluate the safety measures in place.

Authorities are continuously monitoring the situation, and further updates will be provided as the flood situation evolves.