A general view of Nullah Lai following heavy rains in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, September 1, 2026. — Geo News

• Residents living around Nullah Lai directed to evacuate.
• Wasa declares rain emergency in Lai’s catchment areas.
• Agency urges citizens to avoid unnecessary travel.
  

ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI: Authorities closed schools and educational institutions in Islamabad and Rawalpindi on Tuesday as torrential rain lashed the twin cities, with water levels in several areas rising beyond dangerous levels.

The rain began at 3:20am late Monday and continued until 8am, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), with several areas recording heavy rainfall.

Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Captain (retd) Nadeem Nasir placed relevant departments on high alert and ordered residents living around Nullah Lai to move to safer locations.

Rescue 1122 personnel were deployed around Nullah Lai, while the district administration directed teams to remain ready for emergencies.

The Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) said a rain emergency had been declared in Nullah Lai’s catchment areas due to heavy rainfall.

Wasa teams and heavy machinery were deployed in low-lying areas, including Liaquat Bagh, Committee Chowk underpass, Murree Road, Dhok Khaba, Circular Road and Sadiqabad.

The Wasa managing director said that Nullah Lai was being continuously monitored along with drains across the city, while sirens were sounded as water flow increased.

According to Wasa, water flow at Katarian reached 29 feet, while the level at the Gowalmandi bridge rose to 24 feet.

The administration said a major flood surge was passing through Nullah Lai, with a possibility of further water entering Rawalpindi from Islamabad.

The highest rainfall in Rawalpindi was recorded at Shamsabad, where 197 millimetres were measured, while New Katarian received 185mm and Golra recorded 157mm, according to PMD.

Other reported totals included 152mm in H-8, 98mm at Saidpur Village, 86mm in Pirwadhai, 72mm in I-12 and 72mm at Chaklala, the Met Office said.

Several low-lying areas were reported inundated, including Safdarabad, Sadiqabad, Dhoke Khaba, Pirwadhai, Fauji Colony, Javed Colony and Arya Mohalla.

DC Nasir, who reached Nullah Lai, directed the immediate drainage of accumulated water and ordered additional Wasa teams to reach affected areas.

Government and private educational institutions were closed for the day in the twin cities.

Wasa urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel and said personnel would continue monitoring the situation in low-lying areas.

Rawalpindi records 200mm of rain

Rawalpindi has recorded 200 millimetres of rain, the highest rainfall in three years, DC Nasir said.

“The biggest impact of the rain is on Nullah Lai,” he said in an interview, explaining that drains flowing into it were backing up and pushing water into surrounding areas.

He said the water level at Katarian was currently at its highest point, with the resulting pressure affecting the Gawalmandi area.

“We are hoping the situation will start returning to normal within an hour,” the deputy commissioner said.

DC Nasir said the rise in Nullah Lai had caused water from adjoining drains to enter nearby residential areas. He added that water would begin receding from low-lying neighbourhoods once the level in the drain fell.

“Evacuation teams have been sent to low-lying areas,” he said, adding that the Pakistan Army, Rescue 1122, the Pakistan Rangers and other institutions were present to assist the administration.

The deputy commissioner said Pakistan Army’s 111 Brigade was also in contact with the district administration and would provide assistance if required.

“We have received only two emergency calls so far,” DC Nasir said, adding that water accumulation in some areas was a normal occurrence during heavy rainfall.

He said the closure of educational institutions applied to areas within the city, as water had also accumulated on major roads and could have created difficulties for children travelling to and from schools.