Heavy rain batters twin cities, schools closed in Rawalpindi

He said water from tributary drains was backing up because of the rising level in Nullah Lai, causing water to enter nearby residential areas.🌧️ اہم اطلاع — عام تعطیلراولپنڈی شہر میں شدید بارش اور نالہ لئی میں پانی کی سطح میں مسلسل اضافے کے پیشِ نظر، راولپنڈی سٹی کی حدود میں واقع تمام تعلیمی اداروں میں عام تعطیل کا اعلان کیا جاتا ہے۔عوام سے اپیل ہے کہ غیر ضروری سفر سے گریز کریں۔ضلعی انتظامیہ راولپنڈی— Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi (@DCRawalpindi)September 1, 2026The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) and local administration recorded heavy rainfall across the twin cities.

Shamsabad received around 201mm of rain, while New Katarian recorded 186mm, shared by the authorities.

Latest rainfall figures in Islamabad and Rawalpindi (01 Sep, 2026)Kattarian 29 ft ⬆️Gawalmandi 23.5 ft ⬆️🔺 *Evacuation for Lai Nullah* 🔺pic.twitter.com/4MN7ync4ii— Pak Met Department محکمہ موسمیات (@pmdgov)September 1, 2026The Rawalpindi district administration also announced a public holiday, with all educational institutions in Rawalpindi city closed amid heavy rainfall and the rising water level in Nullah Lai.

The heavy rainfall began at around 3:50am and continued for several hours, causing a sharp rise in the water level of Nullah Lai. control room, the water level at Katarian later began to recede, falling to around 20.5 feet, while the level at Gawalmandi was recorded at 22 feet.

Meanwhile, the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board Chief Water Engineer Muhammad Atiq said rainfall in Rawalpindi had broken a 16-year record, with a similar level of rainfall previously recorded in 2010. The Rawalpindi district administration said the evacuation situation remained in place despite the decline in water levels, as the level at Katarian remained close to the 20-foot evacuation threshold.

Earlier, the district administration had issued an evacuation alert for residents living along Nullah Lai and in low-lying areas, warning them to move to safer locations as the water level continued to rise., evacuation teams had been dispatched to low-lying areas.

He said the administration was hopeful that the situation would begin to normalise as the water level in Nullah Lai fell. The DC Nasir said the Pakistan Army, Rescue 1122, Pakistan Rangers and other relevant departments were available to assist in dealing with the situation.

He said the army was on standby to assist the district administration if required. The Rawalpindi district administration also announced a public holiday in the city, with all educational institutions closed because of the severe rainfall and flooding.

Citizens were advised to avoid unnecessary travel and stay away from Nullah Lai and other low-lying areas. The rain caused flooding in several residential areas of Rawalpindi, with water entering homes in Shamsabad, Sadiqabad, Awan Colony, Jamia Masjid Road, Javed Colony, Habib Colony, Dhoke Farman Ali and other localities.

In UC-44 Dhoke Farman Ali, residents reported that rainwater from a drain entered streets and homes. Water accumulated to around three feet in some streets, while residents moved household belongings to safer locations. Rainwater also inundated Mohalla Waris Khan, while a number of other parts of the city faced similar conditions.

1122 Rawalpindi, a family became stranded in rainwater near Transformer Chowk and rescue teams were dispatched to evacuate them. Rescue teams were also sent to Dhoke Kala Khan after another family was reported stranded in floodwater.

Rescue 1122 Rawalpindi Media Coordinator Muhammad Usman Gujjar said rescue teams had been deployed around Nullah Lai and in low-lying areas since the night in anticipation of heavy rainfall. He said rescue personnel were stationed at Katarian, Gawalmandi and other low-lying areas and were continuously monitoring the situation.

1122, several reports were received about people becoming trapped in floodwater at different locations, and the affected people were rescued promptly. Rescue 1122 advised citizens to take extreme precautions during the monsoon rains. Parents were specifically urged not to allow children to go near Nullah Lai or electricity poles during rainfall.

The Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon said around 150mm of rain was recorded in E-11 within a short period, causing a drain to overflow and sending water onto roads and into some basements.وفاقی دارلحکومت خصوصا ای الیون میں چند ہی منٹس میں 150 ملی میٹر بارش ہونے کے بعد نالہ اوورفلو کرنے سے وجہ سے پانی سڑک پر آگیا جبکہ ضلعی انتظامیہ کی جانب سے پہلے سے ہی سیل کی گئی چند بیسمنٹس میں بھی داخل ہوگیا، ڈپٹی کمشنر اسلام آباد کی زیر نگرانی ڈی واٹرنگ کا عمل تیزی سے جاری ہے…— DC Islamabad (@dcislamabad)September 1, 2026According to DC Memon, dewatering operations were being carried out under his supervision, while additional dewatering pumps had been deployed by sanitation staff.

He said some of the affected basements had already been sealed by the administration. Memon also said a protective wall collapsed in D-12/2 following the rain, but there was no loss of life or property in the incident.

Rescue and relief operations were underway at the site. Water accumulation affected the Islamabad Expressway and several other major roads, slowing traffic. The Islamabad district administration said traffic flow was being managed with the assistance of traffic police.

Rainwater also entered the basement of a commercial centre in I-8, affecting shops and disrupting business activities. Shopkeepers reported difficulties and financial losses after water accumulated inside their premises. The Islamabad Traffic Police advised motorists to exercise caution during rainfall, warning that wet roads and reduced visibility could increase the risk of accidents.

Drivers were advised to reduce speed, maintain a safe distance, keep headlights on, avoid sudden braking and sharp turns, refrain from using mobile phones while driving, and follow traffic rules.بارش کے دوران مزید احتیاط سے ڈرائیونگ کریں اور ٹریفک قوانین کی مکمل پاسداری کرتے ہوئے اپنے سفر کو محفوظ بنائیں۔#WeRIslamabad.

Policepic.twitter.com/8QXuIVa9FO— Islamabad Police (@ICT_Police)September 1, 2026He said all Rawalpindi Cantonment Board staff had been placed on high alert on the orders of the executive officer. An emergency centre and flood relief camps had also been established, while the cantonment area had been divided into six sections for emergency response.

The chief water engineer said the heavier rainfall had occurred in the upstream areas of Nullah Lai rather than the cantonment areas. He added that residents could contact the emergency centre around the clock and that staff would respond immediately to calls received by the control room.

The Rawalpindi district administration and Rescue 1122 advised residents of low-lying areas to remain alert as the water level in Nullah Lai continued to fluctuate. Authorities said the situation was improving as the water level began to fall but urged residents to remain cautious until the threat had fully subsided.