Low lying areas of the federal capital and adjoining Rawalpindi were inundated due to intermittent heavy rainfall on Wednesday with streams fed by water flowing from the Margalla Hills overflowed. As a result of the flooding, water entered homes in Bara Kahu, Chak Shahzad, and other areas. In New Chatha Bakhtawar, streets and roads were inundated. Rescue teams from the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) have reached the affected areas, and rescue operations are ongoing.

With the help of volunteers, women, the elderly, and infants are being shifted to safe locations. Due to last night's rainfall, the water level in Rawal Dam rose to 1,750.60 feet, leading to the reopening of its spillways once again. The district administration has directed all relevant departments to stay on high alert and advised citizens to stay away from streams and drains. 

In Neelum Valley, Azad Kashmir, 10 tourists stranded due to a landslide caused by heavy rain were rescued. The tourists were trapped late at night in the Jamgar area of upper Neelum Valley. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast another spell of rainfall across the country. According to the department, thunderstorms and heavy rains are likely in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Kashmir. Rain is also predicted in various parts of Balochistan. 

The department has warned that heavy rains could trigger landslides in the hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, Murree, and Galiyat. In Karachi, the weather is expected to remain cloudy with chances of light drizzle. According to the Flood Forecasting Division, due to heavy rains, there is a risk of high-level flooding in the Chenab and Jhelum Rivers, while low-level flooding is currently being observed at Guddu and Sukkur barrages on the Indus River. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)