Nearly 200mm of rain in a few hours pushed Nullah Lai to dangerous levels on September 1, killing at least two people and forcing Rescue 1122 to pull 60 people from flooded streets. A 13-year-old girl’s body was recovered on September 2.
Heavy monsoon rain flooded large parts of Rawalpindi and Islamabad on September 1, 2026. The downpour began around 3:20am and lasted until about 8am, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD). It broke a 16-year rainfall record in Rawalpindi, according to Rawalpindi Cantonment Board Chief Water Engineer Muhammad Atiq, who said similar rainfall had last been recorded in 2010.
Rawalpindi’s Shamsabad area recorded the highest rainfall, at around 197 to 201mm, PMD data shows. New Katarian received about 184 to 187mm, and Golra in Islamabad recorded 157mm. Overall, Rawalpindi received close to 200mm of rain.
What happened to Nullah Lai
The heaviest flooding centred on Nullah Lai, the stream that runs through Rawalpindi and often floods during monsoon season. Water levels at Kattarian rose as high as 27 to 29 feet, and levels at Gawalmandi Bridge reached around 21 to 24 feet, according to WASA and the Nullah Lai flood control room. Authorities sounded sirens and told residents in low-lying areas to move to safer ground.
By the afternoon of September 1, the rain had stopped and water levels began to fall. The level at Kattarian dropped to around 20.5 feet, and Gawalmandi settled near 22 feet, the flood control room said. Even so, the Rawalpindi district administration kept its evacuation orders in place, since the level remained close to the 20-foot mark that officials treat as a danger threshold.
Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Captain (retd) Nadeem Nasir declared a public holiday for all educational institutions in Rawalpindi city because of the flooding. WASA declared a rain emergency across Nullah Lai’s catchment area and sent dewatering teams to Sadiqabad, Dhok Khaba, Pirwadhai, Arya Mohalla and other low-lying spots. The Pakistan Army, Rangers and other departments were placed on standby to help the district administration if needed.
Two confirmed deaths
At least two deaths were reported from the flooding on September 1. In Islamabad’s G-14 sector, the roof of a house collapsed under the weight of rainwater. One person died on the spot, and another was injured, according to local reporting from September 1.
Separately, a 13-year-old girl — reported in local media as Areeba — was swept into a drain in Rawalpindi during the heavy rain. Rescue 1122 launched a search operation, and her body was recovered on September 2, according to Aaj News. Further details of the incident have not yet been officially confirmed.
Two school boundary walls also collapsed in Islamabad, in the Bani Gala and Aabpara/G-6-1 areas. No casualties were reported at either site.
Rescue 1122’s operation
Rescue 1122 Rawalpindi said its teams safely evacuated 60 people during the flooding, based on figures reported by the Express Tribune. The rescues included:
- 30 passengers from Rahimabad Bridge
- 8 people from Kuri Road
- 8 people from Dhoke Kala Khan
- 6 women moved from Darul Aman, a welfare facility
- 3 people rescued from Dhok Najju
At the time of reporting, rescue teams were still working to reach 12 people stranded in New Phagwari and 5 more in Dhok Najju.
Streets, homes and traffic hit hard
Several residential and market areas took in floodwater, including Shamsabad, Sadiqabad, Awan Colony, Jamia Masjid Road, Javed Colony, Habib Colony, Dhoke Farman Ali and Arya Mohalla in Rawalpindi. In Islamabad’s E-11 sector, an overflowing drain sent water into roads and some basements, the district administration said.
Traffic backed up for hours on the Islamabad Expressway and other main roads as water pooled on the streets. Islamabad Traffic Police told drivers to leave extra travel time, slow down and keep a safe distance from other vehicles in the rain.
More rain expected
The situation is not fully over. The PMD and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) have both forecast further rain, thunderstorms and possible urban flooding for Islamabad, Rawalpindi and nearby districts, with the wet spell expected to continue into the following days. The NDMA’s outlook, issued on August 30, covers heavy rain risk through early September, and the PMD has separately forecast intermittent rain with isolated heavy falls for Islamabad and Rawalpindi over the following two days.
Residents living near Nullah Lai and other low-lying areas have been advised to stay alert, avoid unnecessary travel, and follow instructions from Rescue 1122 and the district administration.
FAQ
Is Nullah Lai still dangerous right now?
Water levels had started falling by the afternoon of September 1, but the Rawalpindi district administration kept evacuation orders active because levels stayed close to the danger threshold. More rain is forecast, so the situation could change again.
How much rain fell in Rawalpindi?
PMD figures put the highest total, in Shamsabad, at around 197 to 201mm. This was one of the heaviest rain spells the city has seen in 16 years.
How many people did Rescue 1122 save?
Rescue 1122 Rawalpindi reported evacuating 60 people from flooded areas, including 30 people pulled from a submerged section of Rahimabad Bridge.
Will there be more rain?
Yes. Both PMD and NDMA have forecast further rain and possible urban flooding for Islamabad, Rawalpindi and nearby districts in the coming days.
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