Heavy rain hit twin cities, disrupts traffic and flight operations

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) recorded 33mm of rain in Saidpur Village, 25mm in Golra, 22mm in Bokra and 23mm at its station in H-8/2. Shamsabad received 29mm, Kuri 15mm, Peerwadhai 28mm and Gawalmandi 27mm.

PMD data showed that water levels in Nullah Leh at Katarian and Gawalmandi were falling, at about eight and nine feet, respectively. A pre-alert was in place at Gawalmandi, while the pre-alert threshold at Katarian was 11.4 feet and the alert level at Gawalmandi was 14.1 feet.

The public was advised to stay away from Nullah Leh and follow instructions issued by the relevant authorities. Rain had been continuing in the twin cities since about 3:45am, while authorities deployed staff and heavy machinery to deal with water accumulation in low-lying areas.

Latest rainfall figures of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.#Rain. Alert#PMD#Islamabad. Rain#Rawalpindi.

Rainpic.twitter.com/Bt0QDg9p5X— Pak Met Department محکمہ موسمیات (@pmdgov)September 28, 2026PIA flight PK750, travelling from Paris to Islamabad, was diverted to Multan and landed safely at 5:44am,  on X. The aircraft later departed for Islamabad at 8:21am.

Due to adverse weather (thunderstorm/rain) at Islamabad, PIA flight PK750 (Paris - Islamabad) was diverted to Multan, landing safely at 05:44 AM. The aircraft departed for Islamabad at 08:21 AM.pic.twitter.com/XAKV4IF1DC— Pakistan Airports Authority (@Pk_PAA_Official)September 28, 2026Traffic affected.

Rain caused severe traffic disruption on Islamabad’s Expressway, with miles-long queues of vehicles reported and commuters saying they had been stuck for several hours.

Islamabad Traffic Police on X said it was working to keep traffic moving during the rain and urged commuters to follow traffic advisories and cooperate with its personnel.اسلام آباد ٹریفک پولیس بارش میں ٹریفک رواں دواں رکھنے میں مصروف عمل۔شہریوں سے گزارش ہے کہ ٹریفک ایڈوائزری پر عمل کریں اور ٹریفک پولیس کے ساتھ تعاون کریں۔#WeRIslamabad.

Police#ICTP#ITP#Islamabadpic.twitter.com/tvrH1iNDYN— Islamabad Traffic Police (@ITP_Offical)September 28, 2026The Islamabad district administration said additional staff, including assistant commissioners, had been deployed in the field to monitor drainage in low-lying areas. Additional personnel were also deployed by Islamabad Traffic Police to help maintain traffic flow on major roads.

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) said its sanitation, environment, Islamabad Water, rescue and district administration teams were carrying out field operations, including dewatering at various locations. Rawalpindi. In Rawalpindi, the district administration, Rescue 1122, the waste management company and other departments were placed on high alert following heavy rain.

The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) imposed a rain emergency and mobilised its field officers and heavy machinery to low-lying areas. WASA Managing Director Azizullah Khan said water was flowing at normal levels in Nullah Leh, with the level at five feet at Katarian and two feet at the Gawalmandi bridge at about 9am.

Dewatering pumps and other necessary machinery were moved to sensitive locations, while WASA teams remained deployed to drain accumulated rainwater and provide assistance to residents. The Rawalpindi commissioner directed all departments to remain on high alert and ordered continued monitoring of Nullah Leh.

Heavy machinery was deployed in low-lying areas around Liaquat Bagh, Committee Chowk Underpass, Murree Road, Dhok Khabba, Circular Road and Sadiqabad.