🌧️ Heavy Monsoon Rains Hit Islamabad Yesterday
Published: July 2025 | Author: [M.Ryyan]
Yesterday (July 16, 2025), Islamabad-and neighboring Rawalpindi-were hit hard by a powerful southwest monsoon system that brought heavy rainfall across the region.
Over a tough 16-hour stretch, Islamabad recorded around 173 mm of rain, while some parts of Rawalpindi saw up to 230 mm. To put that in perspective, this is more than double what the city usually gets in July, matching some of the worst flooding events like the 2001 cloudburst.
💥 What Happened as a Result?
🚨 Flooding & Traffic Chaos
Many low-lying areas-including Morgah, Gowalmandi, and cantonment zones-were flooded badly, with water rising up to 4 feet inside some homes.
Main roads, especially Murree Road and the Expressway, basically turned into rivers, causing severe traffic jams, especially between Koral Chowk and Faizabad.
⚡ Power Outages & Infrastructure Damage
Multiple power lines tripped or were switched off because of the flooding. People faced power cuts lasting hours across Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
A flyover in F-8 partly collapsed due to soil erosion, graves in the H-11 cemetery were underwater, and tunnels were flooded. These incidents led to emergency evacuations and safety checks by officials.
⚠️ Human Consequences
Tragically, dozens of people lost their lives across Punjab, with several drownings reported in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Some of the victims included:
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A 9-year-old girl who fell into a storm drain near Sabzi Mandi
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A young boy swept away in Bhoosa Mandi Sadar
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Others in Gulshan-e-Iqbal and Chungi No. 4
Within just 24 hours, 33 people died and over 170 were injured in Punjab. As the rains continued, authorities later reported 54 deaths in a single day in the province.
🛟 Rescue & Emergency Response
The government responded quickly by declaring a rain emergency, closing schools for the day, suspending public transport, and calling in Rescue 1122 and Pakistan Army teams.
Evacuation warnings were issued around swelling nullahs such as Nullah Leh (which reached 21 feet) and Nullah Lai.
Army helicopters were sent to rescue people stranded on rooftops in places like Morgah, Rajar village, Sawarian, and Ladian. Boats, life jackets, and relief supplies were also handed out.
The Army’s 111 Brigade was put on full alert. In Chakwal and Jhelum, soldiers airlifted dozens trapped by floodwaters, helping save lives and reconnect communities cut off by the water.
🏚️ Economic & Daily Life Disruptions
The floods brought everyday life to a grinding halt:
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Shops closed early
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Markets were flooded
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Public transport was suspended
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Many underpasses and bridges became unusable
Several highly anticipated infrastructure projects, including new underpasses, came under fire for failing during the heavy rains. This raised serious questions about whether these structures were built to handle such extreme weather.
✍️ A Personal Reflection
Yesterday’s storm was a stark reminder of how vulnerable our cities really are when the weather turns extreme. If you live in Islamabad or are visiting, now is the time to:
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Stay cautious in low-lying areas
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Keep up with official safety announcements
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Save important emergency numbers (Rescue 1122, NDMA Helpline 1129, IESCO Helpline)
It’s heartbreaking to see communities suffer so much in just one night. But the quick response from rescue teams and the military also shows how important being prepared really is.
🌦️ What Comes Next?
Current Weather
91°F – Hazy sunshine
Forecast
Friday: 95°F / 77°F – Hazy sun
Saturday: 95°F / 82°F – Partly sunny
This brief dry spell is a welcome break, but the monsoon season is far from over. More scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected over the next couple of days in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Officials are staying alert and urging people to avoid unnecessary travel until the floodwaters recede and drainage systems get back to normal.
🧾 Summary Table
| Impact Area | Details |
|---|---|
| Rainfall Intensity | :~173 mm in Islamabad; up to 230 mm in Rawalpindi |
| Human Toll : | Dozens killed and injured; rescues ongoing |
| Infrastructure : | Flooded roads, power outages, collapsed flyover |
| Daily Disruption : | Schools closed, transport halted, markets shut |
| Rescue Response : | Emergency declared; Army & Rescue 1122 lively |
| Forecast Outlook : | More rain expected; public vigilance advised |
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