As a result of heavy rainfall in the twin cities and adjoining area on Friday, rainwater had entered the premises of Benazir Bhutto International Airport. The authorities were unable to drain out the accumulated water from the departure lounge, creating inconvenience for passengers.
Holy Family Hospital’s dengue ward was also flooded with rainwater in Rawalpindi. In Jama Masjid area of the city, shopkeepers resorted to water drainage from their stores on their own causing losses to shopkeepers.
The rainwater also entered houses and streets of Rawalpindi’s low-lying areas. The rain also disrupted electricity supply in both the cities, which could not be restored in several localities for hours.
The water level of Nullah Leh, a stream which runs through the city, was increased by a few feet. A rain emergency has been imposed in the hospitals to avoid any unforeseen development. Army troops have been put on alert in Rawalpindi and were seen on the streets to respond instantly to rescue calls.
In Lahore, several areas of the city, including major arteries, were swamped due to the rain. Jinnah Hospital’s out-door, emergency and other wards were also inundated with rainwater after the heavy rains. Teams of the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) said they are working to drain the collected rainwater from the city’s streets.
Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed authorities to ensure no standing water is left in Rawalpindi, Lahore and other areas affected by the rain.
According to Pakistan Metrological Department (PMD), Chaklala and Shamsabad areas of Rawalpindi received 72mm, 54mm rainfall respectively; meanwhile, in Islamabad: Bokra received 45mm, Golra received 36mm and Zero Point area received 22mm rainfall.
The PMD in its weather forecast for next 24 hours predicted that rain-thunderstorm accompanied by gusty winds is expected at scattered places in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Malakand, Hazara, Peshawar, Kohat, Mardan divisions), upper Punjab (Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Lahore divisions), Islamabad, FATA and Kashmir.
Rain-thunderstorm with gusty winds is also expected at isolated places in Gilgit-Baltistan, Bannu, Faisalabad and Sahiwal divisions.
Hot and humid weather is expected in remaining parts of the country.