ISLAMABAD / RAWALPINDI: A strong monsoon spell has gripped the Potohar region and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday, triggering heavy downpours and widespread disruption in the twin cities and adjoining districts.
Currently, heavy to moderate rains with thunder and lightning are continuing in the western areas of Peshawar, including Attock, Hassan Abdal, Taxila, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad.
Due to heavy rains, Rawalpindi and Islamabad have become a haven for urban flooding.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) and weather monitoring services, Rawalpindi is currently experiencing thunderstorms with a high probability of continued rain through the night. The PMD had forecast that heavy rainfall may trigger urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Peshawar from July 20 to 23, with similar warnings extended for Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot and Faisalabad.
In the twin cities, low-lying localities including Shamsabad, Pir Wadhai, Faizabad, Zero Point, Blue Area, Bhara Kahu and Bari Imam are reporting water accumulation. The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Rawalpindi has enforced a rain emergency and deployed field teams to monitor Lai Nullah and other major drains.
The Met Office has also cautioned that the current wet spell may trigger flash flooding in local streams and nullahs in Kashmir, Murree, Galliyat, northeastern Punjab and upper KP, and landslides in vulnerable hilly areas of Murree, Galliyat, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Authorities Advisory:
PDMA and district administrations have urged residents in Peshawar, Attock, Hassan Abdal, Taxila, Islamabad and Rawalpindi to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from electric poles and nullahs, and take precautionary measures during thunder and lightning.
Citizens in low-lying areas have been advised to remain on alert as the spell is expected to continue till July 23 with occasional gaps.
