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Rawal Dam spillways opened as heavy rain lashes Islamabad

Animated editorial illustration for: Rawal Dam spillways opened as heavy rain lashes Islamabad
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At a glance

  • Spillways of Rawal Dam in Islamabad have been opened due to rising water levels.
  • Heavy monsoon rains continue to affect Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
  • A high alert for urban flooding remains in effect, especially for areas near Nullah Lai.

Story so far

A spell of heavy monsoon rain has been lashing Islamabad and Rawalpindi, prompting authorities to issue a high alert for urban flooding. The rising water levels in Nullah Lai in Rawalpindi have been a key area of concern. The Pakistan Meteorological Department had forecast the rain spell to last until September 5, with warnings of landslides in mountainous regions of KP, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Latest development

Authorities opened the spillways of Rawal Dam in Islamabad on Friday, September 4, after continuous heavy rainfall caused the water level to rise.

Latest updates

Authorities opened the spillways of Rawal Dam in Islamabad on Friday, September 4, after continuous heavy rainfall caused the water level to rise.

Amid the ongoing heavy rainfall in Rawalpindi, concerns have been raised over the rising water levels in Nullah Lai, which poses a significant threat of urban flooding in the city.

Heavy rainfall has begun in Islamabad and Rawalpindi on Friday, leading to an active urban flooding alert for the twin cities. The current wet spell is reportedly being caused by a western monsoon system that has entered Pakistan, according to available weather reports.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department has issued a new alert, forecasting heavy rain for Islamabad and Rawalpindi within the next few hours. The forecast also includes the possibility of rain with thunderstorms in Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, and Mandi Bahauddin.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, heavy rain is expected in Swabi, Mardan, Nowshera, Peshawar, Abbottabad, Kohistan, Swat, and Buner. The advisory extends to Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Authorities have warned of potential urban flooding in cities and landslides in mountainous regions. According to the Met Office, the current weather system is expected to continue until September 5.

Intermittent rain has continued in Islamabad and Peshawar, with showers also reported in Karachi. The rainfall has extended to most districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to available reports.

Sources and updates

Responses

  1. It’s good that PMD is providing timely forecasts. Does anyone know what the current capacity of Nullah Lai is after the recent cleaning drives? It would be useful to understand the exact risk level.

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