Latest News ISLAMABAD | July 17
It wasn’t just a downpour. It was hours of pressure, pouring from above, pooling in the streets, filling drains to the edge. What followed was more than just inconvenience, it was the start of urban flooding. And now, as the clouds linger, Rawalpindi and Islamabad are on edge. The fear isn’t just more rain. It’s what happens after.
Water Rushing In, People Caught Off-Guard
By morning, it was everywhere,  in streets, creeping through gates, even climbing stairs in some homes. Low-lying areas, as usual, took the first hit. Dhok Hassu, Katarian, Gawalmandi, and parts of I-9, G-6, and F-7 were hit hard. Saeeda Bibi, a widow in Rawalpindi, stood barefoot outside her home. “It happened so fast. I was asleep. When I woke up, the courtyard was full of water.”
Due to urban flooding, shops didn’t open on time. Authorities cancelled school vans, and in some areas, officials shut down power as a safety measure.
Nullah Lai Rising | And Fast
The Nullah Lai, that familiar threat every monsoon, swelled overnight. District officials say its water level approached danger limits. Overflow now feels like a matter of hours, not days. And that’s why the Punjab government moved quickly, calling on the Pakistan Army to assist in case the city floods. Troops have been asked to stay on standby. A senior rescue officer said, “We’ve seen this before, but this time, it’s building up too quickly. There’s not enough time between rain and risk.”
Drains Choked, Streets Flooded
In many neighborhoods, clogged drains worsened the crisis. Locals used sticks and metal rods to clear openings. Some had nothing but old buckets and sheer urgency. “You’d think after so many years, someone would fix this,” said 19-year-old Faizan, standing ankle-deep in dirty water near Faizabad Underpass.
As urban flooding worsened, emergency workers scrambled to the worst-hit areas, dragging in portable pumps and sandbags. In some places, they worked waist-deep in water, trying to keep streets from turning into streams. City teams placed sandbags near hospitals and metro stations. Authorities closed off the worst-hit zones to traffic. Yet, cars still broke down. Motorcycles skidded. Nothing moved smoothly.
More Rain Is Coming       Â
Weather officials aren’t offering much comfort. Officials warn this could be just the beginning. More rain is expected, and heavier spells might hit within hours. The weather system sitting above northern Punjab isn’t moving yet. More heavy rain is expected tonight and possibly tomorrow.
“Clouds will stay dense. A meteorologist at the Islamabad Weather Office warned, “The next spell could be stronger.
That puts thousands of families in the line of risk, especially those living along drains and in katchi abadis (informal settlements). Evacuation alerts have already gone out in select areas.
People Are Prepared | Sort Of        Â
Some packed bags. Others moved valuables to rooftops. Women in some households cooked food in bulk, just in case gas or power went out. It’s a kind of silent drill people here know too well. But still, many say they aren’t truly ready for urban flooding. “We live in fear every July,” said Abdul Wahid, a tailor in Sadiqabad. “Authorities show up once the water’s already inside our homes, never before.”
One Night Could Change Everything     Â
As night falls, both cities watch the sky again. The clouds haven’t moved. The streets are still wet. And somewhere beneath the surface, the drains groan, almost full from the weight of urban flooding. It’s a wait now. For rain. For rescue. For whatever comes first.
