Heavy rain has caused flooding in low-lying areas of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, prompting emergency measures as water levels in Nullah Lai rose sharply.

The rain, which began overnight, continued into Wednesday morning and pushed Nullah Lai to dangerous levels. Water reached around 22 feet at Kattarian and nearly 19 feet at Gawalmandi.

Authorities began evacuating residents from vulnerable areas of Kattarian and Gawalmandi after flood warning sirens were activated in the twin cities.

Sources said the Rawalpindi district administration has sought assistance from the Pakistan Army to deal with the emergency situation. Residents have been advised to stay away from Nullah Lai, streams and low-lying areas.

The twin cities received an average of around 74 millimetres of rain. Golra recorded the highest rainfall, with around 113 to 114 millimetres. Other significant totals included 70 to 71mm in Saidpur, 57mm in H-8 and around 40 to 46mm in Bokra.

In Rawalpindi, New Kattarian received 59mm, Pirwadhai 51mm, while Shamsabad and Gawalmandi recorded around 45mm. Around 33mm was recorded near Kacheri-Chaklala.

Although Nullah Lai’s water level has started falling, alerts remain active in Kattarian and Gawalmandi as authorities continue monitoring the situation.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast more rain in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Meanwhile, heavy rainfall in occupied Jammu and nearby areas has caused flooding in Nullah Bein near Shakargarh, inundating crops in more than a dozen villages.

The Flood Forecasting Division said low-level flooding was also reported at Kalabagh and Guddu on the Indus River, while conditions in other rivers remained normal.