Heavy Rain Triggers Flood Alert in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Evacuation Ordered

Heavy rainfall across Rawalpindi and Islamabad has pushed water levels in Nullah Leh past the 22-foot danger mark at the Katarian point, prompting authorities to sound flood warning sirens and order evacuations for residents living along its banks, according to Bloom Pakistan, published 12 August 2026. Pakistan Observer and Dunya News corroborated the alert, both reporting the same 22-foot reading at Katarian, with Gawalmandi recorded slightly lower at 17.5 to 19 feet depending on the source.

What's Happening on the Ground

Rescue teams have been placed on high alert as authorities monitor the situation. Floodwater has already entered homes in parts of Sadiqabad and Dhok Elahi Bakhsh, and several major roads — including Murree Road and Rawal Road — have been affected by water accumulation, disrupting traffic across the twin cities. The Rawalpindi district administration has sought assistance from the Pakistan Army to help manage the emerging emergency.

Rainfall Totals

Golra recorded the highest rainfall in the Islamabad-Rawalpindi region at 113mm. Other high readings included The Last Tribe in Islamabad at 159.6mm, NUST University at 93.2mm, G-8/2 at 90.0mm, and I-9/2 at 83.0mm, based on data recorded up to 8:05 AM PKT. In Rawalpindi, Askari-14 (Sector-A) recorded 54.6mm and Satellite Town (Block E) recorded 46.8mm.

Wider Regional Picture

Heavy rainfall in occupied Jammu and adjoining upper areas has created a flood-like situation in Nullah Bein near Shakargarh, where crops in more than a dozen villages have been submerged. Separately, the Lahore Flood Forecasting Division reported low-level flooding at Kalabagh and Guddu Barrage on the Indus River, while the situation in Pakistan's other major rivers remains normal.

A Recurring Monsoon Risk for the Twin Cities

Nullah Leh's danger threshold starts at 22 feet, with spillover beginning around 30 feet — a benchmark the twin cities' district administrations track closely every monsoon season. The nullah has a documented history of severe flooding: The Express Tribune has reported that Rawalpindi has witnessed at least seven major floods along the nullah over the decades, the most devastating on 23 July 2001, which killed 65 people and caused an estimated Rs7 billion in damage. Despite repeated pledges by successive governments — including a Rs17 billion Nullah Leh project launched under President Pervez Musharraf in 2007 — a permanent flood-mitigation solution for the waterway has never been fully executed.

What's Next

Rain-wind and thundershowers are expected to continue in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galyat and adjoining areas over the next two to four hours, with heavy rainfall possible at isolated places. Residents in low-lying areas near Nullah Leh have been advised to remain alert to warning sirens and follow updates from the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).

What This Means for Residents and Property Owners

Anyone living or holding property in the low-lying corridors that flank Nullah Leh — including Sadiqabad, Dhok Elahi Bakhsh, Gawalmandi, and Katarian — should treat evacuation orders as an immediate safety priority, not a precaution to weigh against property or belongings. If you are currently in an affected area, follow instructions from Rescue 1122, WASA, and local administration teams directly, and avoid crossing flooded roads, bridges, or drains regardless of how familiar the route may seem in normal conditions.

---

Sources

1. Bloom Pakistan — "Heavy Rain Triggers Flood Alert in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Evacuation Ordered", 12 Aug 2026: https://bloompakistan.com/heavy-rain-triggers-flood-alert-in-rawalpindi-islamabad-evacuation-ordered/
2. Pakistan Observer — "Flood alert in twin cities as Nullah Lai rises to dangerous level; army called in", 12 Aug 2026: https://pakobserver.net/flood-alert-in-twin-cities-as-nullah-lai-rises-to-dangerous-level-amid-torrential-rains/
3. Dunya News — "Heavy rain triggers flood alert in Rawalpindi, Islamabad", 12 Aug 2026: https://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/967522--heavy-rain-triggers-flood-alert-in-rawalpindi-islamabad
4. The Express Tribune — "Flood warnings trigger evacuation along Nullah Leh": https://tribune.com.pk/story/2553031/flood-warnings-trigger-evacuation-along-nullah-leh