Islamabad [Pakistan], July 23 : Incessant heavy rainfall in Pakistan’s twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi has triggered widespread flash flooding, resulting in at least four individuals being swept away in separate and tragic incidents. The intense monsoon downpour, which began early Wednesday morning and continued through the afternoon, has severely disrupted daily life, inundated low-lying areas, and put emergency services on high alert.
One of the most concerning incidents involves a retired Pakistan Army officer, Colonel Ishaq Qazi, and his 25-year-old daughter. They were driving through a housing society near the Sihala police limits when their car was engulfed by a powerful water current and swept into a nearby drain. Despite a robust rescue operation involving divers and checkpoints along the Soan River, into which the drain empties, the father and daughter had not been located after more than ten hours of searching, prompting operations to halt for the night.
In a separate and equally tragic event, the body of a 17-year-old boy, Hammad Shah, was recovered from the Soan River. Witnesses in the Humak area reported that Shah had slipped while walking along the muddy, flooded edge of a drain and was immediately swept away by the raging waters.
A third missing person incident occurred in Khanna, where an eight-year-old girl named Anya fell into the Korang drain during the heavy rainfall. She was walking nearby when she lost her footing. Authorities launched a search operation, but her whereabouts remained unknown until late evening.
Rawalpindi on High Alert as Water Levels Rise
In Rawalpindi, the rapidly rising water levels in the Leh Nullah (stream) prompted a pre-alert. Water reached a critical 10 feet at the Kattarian Bridge and 7 feet at the Gawalmandi Bridge. The local administration, in coordination with the army and various emergency services, has been placed on high alert to manage any potential emergency situation.
Although the intense rain subsided in the afternoon, residents in low-lying areas continued their efforts well into the evening to clear floodwater from their homes. The Meteorological Department recorded significant rainfall figures across the region: 101 mm in Saidpur, 78 mm in Golra, and 68 mm in Bokra in Islamabad. Rawalpindi’s Katcheri area received 85 mm of rain. The forecast indicates that more rainfall is expected over the next two days, raising concerns about further inundation.
The widespread flooding severely impacted roads and neighborhoods, including major arteries like Murree Road, Saddar, Sadiqabad, Kutchery Chowk, Tench Bhatta, and Jamia Masjid Road. In many areas, floodwater breached homes, causing significant disruption and damage. Traffic was heavily disrupted, and isolated incidents, such as a motorcyclist slipping into a drain on Dhamial Road, required immediate rescue. A house in Lalazar-2 also sustained damage after floodwater entered during the downpour.
Power outages were reported in multiple areas as a precautionary measure due to safety concerns, particularly involving waterlogging and electrical infrastructure. However, electricity was gradually restored later in the day as conditions stabilized.
Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi Hassan Waqar Cheema acknowledged the intensity of the rainfall but stated that the situation remained “manageable.” He confirmed that emergency teams were fully deployed, and instructions had been issued for the swift clearing of flooded streets. Wasa Managing Director Saleem Ashraf added that all machinery and personnel were on duty and credited the early removal of blockages in the nullahs for helping to reduce the overall severity of the flooding.
This latest spell of heavy monsoon rains is part of a broader weather system affecting Pakistan, with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reporting a rising death toll across the country due to rain-related incidents since late June. Authorities continue to urge residents in vulnerable areas to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions.