Heavy Rain Prompts Emergency Declarations Across Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Punjab

Islamabad, September 28, 2026 — Heavy rain accompanied by strong winds lashed several cities across Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Monday, with hailstorms reported in some areas, prompting authorities to declare a rain emergency in Islamabad and Rawalpindi as civic departments were placed on high alert.

Background

Islamabad and Rawalpindi received a fresh spell of rain on Monday, with heavy rainfall also reported in Kohat, Karak, Mianwali and Dunyapur, causing water to accumulate in low-lying areas. Rain also struck Jhang, Chashma, Darya Khan, Kacha Gujrat, Piplan and other areas, with rainwater entering houses and inundating streets and neighborhoods in Kundian.

Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecasts indicated further rain for Attock, Bahawalnagar, Chakwal, Chiniot, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sargodha, Hafizabad, Jhang, Jhelum, Lahore and other parts of Punjab, with the upper catchment areas of the Ravi and Sutlej rivers also expected to receive rain accompanied by gusty winds and thunderstorms, including isolated heavy falls. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rain was forecast for Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Karak, Lakki Marwat and Tank, while parts of Gilgit-Baltistan were also expected to see rainfall. Most parts of Sindh and Balochistan were expected to remain hot and dry, with hot and humid conditions persisting in southern and plain areas.

Monitoring Islamabad’s Nullah Lai

In its update, the PMD advised residents to stay away from Nullah Lai, the seasonal stream that runs through the twin cities and has historically been a flashpoint for urban flooding during heavy rain. “Nullah Lai is being continuously monitored, and the public is being kept informed in a timely manner,” said Rawalpindi Commissioner Salman Ghani.

According to authorities, the water flow in Nullah Lai remained normal at the time of reporting, with water levels standing at 5.5 feet at Katarian and 2 feet at Gawalmandi.

Civic Response

The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Rawalpindi declared a rain emergency in view of the heavy rainfall, mobilizing all field officers and deploying staff and heavy machinery to low-lying areas as part of ongoing drainage operations across the twin cities.

The Islamabad Traffic Police said in a post on social media that its officers were working to ensure smooth traffic flow during the rain, urging residents to adhere to traffic advisories and cooperate with police to avoid disruptions on the roads.

Conclusion

As heavy rain continues to move through Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the rain emergency declared in Islamabad and Rawalpindi reflects the ongoing vigilance civic authorities are maintaining around Nullah Lai and other flood-prone urban waterways. With further rain forecast across large parts of Punjab, including the upper catchments of the Ravi and Sutlej rivers, and hailstorms already reported in several areas, continued monitoring and rapid drainage response will remain critical in the days ahead to prevent localized flooding in the twin cities and beyond.