RAWALPINDI, Punjab: The Nullah Lai water level fell sharply after rain eased in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, dropping to 17 feet at Katarian, down from 22 feet earlier in the day.
The flood control room said the latest reading at Katarian was 17 feet, down from 21 feet in an earlier measurement, while Gawalmandi also stood at 17 feet.
City administration officials had earlier reported that the channel rose to 22 feet at Katarian and to 16 feet near Gawalmandi Bridge as heavy rain intensified.
Rescue 1122 issued announcements in communities along Nullah Lai, urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel. Officials also advised families to keep children away from storm-water drains and electricity poles.
Read: Rawalpindi Rain Emergency: Nullah Lai Reaches 20 Feet
Rainfall since Monday night reached 66mm in Saidpur, 65mm in Bokra and 63mm in Pirwadhai. Golra recorded 52mm, Shamsabad 50mm and Chaklala 47mm, according to the supplied readings.
Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Managing Director Azizullah Khan said teams and heavy machinery had been deployed along Nullah Lai and in low-lying areas including Sadiqabad, Dhok Khaba, Pirwadhai, Arya Mohalla and Bohar Bazaar.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast rain, wind and thunderstorms across Islamabad and upper Punjab until August 21, warning that heavy falls could cause urban flooding in low-lying areas of the twin cities.
