A city can be changed in minutes. Heavy rains have turned roads into rivers, stranding vehicles and forcing authorities in Islamabad and Rawalpindi to take emergency measures.

The twin cities are submerged under heavy downpour, and the Islamabad Expressway has become a nightmare for cars that got trapped in surging water. In Rawalpindi, the water level in Nullah Lai has risen more than 22 feet height increasing fears of further overflow and evacuation warnings. Rawalpindi has faced severe flooding.

Emergency teams have been sent to vulnerable low-lying areas, including Sadiqabad, by the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA). Machinery and rescue resources are being brought into clear blocked routes and manage floodwater as residents face changing conditions.

Islamabad also received heavy rainfall. Reports indicate Saidpur was hit with about 66 millimetres of rain, demonstrating the magnitude of the weather system that is moving across the region.

The impact is immediate for residents. Normally busy streets have become treacherous or impossible to cross as pedestrians and drivers contend with dangerous currents of water, unseen road hazards and stranded vehicles. Some residents have welcomed the downpour, posting videos of rain-soaked streets on social media.

The threat of urban flooding may continue till August 21, the Pakistan Meteorological Department warned. Authorities and citizens are urged to stay alert, avoid flooded roads, follow evacuation instructions and put safety ahead of travel, with more rain possible.

For Islamabad and Rawalpindi, the message is clear: the storm is not over yet.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)