Nullah Lai Water Level Drops Sharply After Rain Eases

Rawalpindi and Islamabad – (Staff Reporter/Web Desk) – The Nullah Lai water level dropped sharply on Wednesday after rain paused across Rawalpindi and Islamabad, giving residents some relief following hours of heavy downpour.

Officials at the flood control room said the water level at Katarian had fallen to 17 feet, down from a peak of 21 feet earlier in the day. The channel had briefly crossed 22 feet during the height of the rain.

At Gawalmandi, the water level also stands at 17 feet. This marks a steep drop from the 16-feet mark recorded a few hours earlier, when heavy rain pushed the channel well above its normal flow.

City administration officials confirmed that both points saw a rapid rise during the day. Katarian had jumped from 19 feet, while Gawalmandi rose from 15 feet, as rain intensified through the afternoon and evening.

Rescue 1122 issued repeated warnings for people living near Nullah Lai. Teams urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel close to the channel and to stay alert while water levels remained high.

Officials also asked families to keep children away from drains and electricity poles. These simple precautions, they said, can prevent serious accidents during heavy rain.

Authorities have already shared safety instructions with communities living along the Nullah Lai basin. The advice comes as rain continues on and off across the twin cities.

Since Monday night, several areas have recorded notable rainfall. Saidpur received the highest amount at 66mm, followed closely by Bokra at 65mm and Pirwadhai at 63mm.

Golra recorded 52mm of rain, while Shamsabad and Chaklala saw 50mm and 47mm respectively. The steady rain has kept drainage teams on constant alert.

WASA Managing Director Azizullah Khan said his teams have been placed along Nullah Lai and in other low-lying parts of the city. Their job is to watch the situation closely and act fast if needed.

Heavy machinery has been sent to several flood-prone spots. These include Sadiqabad, Dhok Khaba, Pirwadhai, Arya Mohalla and Bohar Bazaar.

This latest deployment adds to earlier steps taken under Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Captain (retd) Nadeem Nasir. Preparations began as soon as rain started on Monday night.

Machinery was already stationed at key points before the rain intensified. These included Liaquat Bagh, Committee Chowk Underpass, Murree Road, Dhok Khaba, Circular Road and Sadiqabad.

A day earlier, Azizullah had shared much lower readings. At that time, the water level stood at just 10.5 feet at Katarian and 8.5 feet at Gawalmandi.

He personally supervised drainage work during the spell. According to him, garbage that had entered Nullah Lai during the previous rain was cleared in time.

This timely cleanup allowed water to flow without blockage, he said. Clear drains played a key role in preventing worse flooding in the city.

The WASA chief again appealed to citizens for cooperation. He asked people not to throw waste into drains or remove sewer covers, as this can block the drainage system.

He also reminded residents to reach out to the WASA helpline during any emergency. Quick reporting, he said, helps teams respond faster.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast more rain ahead. Wind and thunderstorms are expected across Islamabad and upper Punjab until August 21, with occasional breaks in between.

The Met Office warned that further heavy rain could trigger urban flooding in low-lying parts of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. It has urged local authorities to stay alert and ready.

For now, the drop in the Nullah Lai water level offers a brief pause. But with more rain expected in the coming days, officials say vigilance remains critical for the twin cities.