A rain emergency has been announced in Rawalpindi following a powerful hailstorm and heavy rain coupled with strong winds that swept through the twin cities.
Managing Director of WASA, Muhammad Saleem Ashraf, confirmed that the intense weather prompted the declaration of a rain emergency in the city.
Rainfall data from various points showed 29 mm in Shamsabad, 30 mm at PMD, and 10 mm in Golra. WASA teams are on-site with heavy equipment to manage the situation.
Despite the heavy downpour, the water levels in Nullah Lai remain under control, five feet at Katarian and four feet at Gawalmandi Bridge.
Earlier, the National Emergencies Operations Center (NEOC) of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) had issued a weather alert, forecasting isolated rain, thunderstorms, windstorms, and dust storms in parts of Punjab, Islamabad, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over the next 12 to 36 hours.
In Punjab and Islamabad, affected areas may include Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Mianwali, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Lahore, Narowal, and nearby regions.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, places like Chitral, Battagram, Kohistan, Kohat, Kurram, Bannu, Mardan, Peshawar, Swabi, Charsadda, Nowshera, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Dera Ismail Khan, Bajaur, and Mohmand could be impacted.
While the rain is expected to provide some relief from the ongoing heatwave, strong winds and storms could cause damage by toppling weak trees and triggering temporary blackouts.
Dust storms may also impact fragile structures, rooftops, vehicles, and power lines, while reducing visibility and increasing the risk of road accidents.
The NDMA has urged citizens to stay away from trees, billboards, and unstable structures during storms.
They also recommend parking vehicles in safe, covered areas and limiting outdoor activities. For real-time weather alerts, the public is encouraged to use the “Pak NDMA Alert App.”