Rawalpindi and Islamabad were hit by intense rainfall, resulting in swollen drains and widespread flooding across various parts of the twin cities. Several cantonment areas experienced water intrusion into homes, while vehicles were submerged in New Lalazar, severely disrupting daily life for residents. Roads in Pirwadhai, Sadiqabad, and Muslim Town also remained under water following the downpour, which measured over 145 millimetres across the region.
The heavy rain caused a Metrobus roof to leak, and in Jan Colony, an overflowing rainwater drain led to water accumulation on the streets. As the water level in Nullah Lai surged, emergency sirens were activated, and residents in nearby areas were instructed to evacuate for safety. After the rainfall ceased, the water level at Kattarian subsided to approximately six feet.
Meanwhile, low-lying areas in Narowal and Gujrat were submerged due to heavy rains, with increased water flow observed in Nullah Bein and Nullah Basantar in Shakargarh. The Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) along with other relevant departments have been actively involved in draining water from flooded roads. Authorities have issued a high alert given the forecast of continued rainfall.
In a significant development, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted rain, wind, and thunderstorms for Islamabad, the Pothohar region, upper Punjab, Kashmir, upper and central Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit-Baltistan on Thursday, with heavy rainfall expected in several locations. The Met Office forecast also indicated that hot and humid conditions would prevail in other parts of the country.
Warnings have been issued about potential urban flooding in low-lying sectors of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Mardan, Swabi, Peshawar, Nowshera, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, and Lahore during the night and on August 20. Flash floods could be triggered in local nullahs across Kashmir, Murree, Galiyat, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi. Additionally, landslides are expected in the hilly regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galiyat, and Kashmir throughout the forecast period.
Specifically, Islamabad and surrounding areas are anticipated to experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies accompanied by rain, wind, and thunderstorms, with heavy downpours likely. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rain and storms are forecast for Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Khyber, Bajaur, Mohmand, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, Peshawar, Hangu, Orakzai, Karak, Kurram, Kohat, and Waziristan. Heavy rainfall is particularly expected in Abbottabad, Haripur, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, and Peshawar, while hot and humid weather will dominate other areas.
Punjab will also see rain, wind, and thunderstorms in Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal, Talagang, Gujrat, Jhelum, Mangla, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura, and Okara. Sindh is forecast to remain mostly hot and humid, with southern districts partly cloudy. Balochistan will experience hot and humid weather in most districts, with rain and thunderstorms expected in Barkhan, Zhob, Musakhel, and Khuzdar during the evening and night. Kashmir is likely to have partly cloudy conditions with rain, wind, and thunderstorms, accompanied by heavy rainfall. Similarly, Gilgit-Baltistan will see partly cloudy weather with rain and thunderstorms.
Over the past 24 hours, widespread rain, wind, and thunderstorms affected Rawalpindi and Islamabad, while scattered showers were reported in the Pothohar region, northeast Punjab, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Kashmir. Heavy rainfall was recorded in many areas, whereas hot and humid conditions prevailed in other parts of the country.
