ISLAMABAD: A wave of thunder roared through the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi on Saturday evening, accompanied by flashes of lightning and followed by heavy rain in various areas.
The lightning was so powerful that a single strike illuminated half of the city like a floodlight.
However, the eastern skies over Islamabad remained completely clear, with the full moon shining at its brightest.
Continuous rains in the capital and adjoining areas have raised the water level in Rawal Dam to 1,751.80 feet.
Authorities said spillways will be opened at 8am on Sunday, with monitoring by the assistant commissioner of Nilore.
Punjab braces for heavy rains as PDMA issues high alert
The district administration has advised residents to avoid low-lying areas, while all relevant departments remain on high alert.
Citizens have been told to contact the district control room in case of emergency.
Spillways opened at Khanpur Dam
The spillways of Khanpur Dam were opened after the water level rose, releasing 6,800 cusecs downstream.
Sharp increase in river flows
Fresh data showed water levels rising rapidly at major barrages.
At Panjnad, inflow increased by 177,685 cusecs in nine hours, reaching 384,124 cusecs.
At Trimmu, inflow rose by 74,075 cusecs in six hours, recording 449,668 cusecs.
Guddu barrage reported 365,000 cusecs inflow and 327,000 cusecs outflow, while Sukkur recorded inflow of 329,000 cusecs and outflow of 280,000 cusecs.
At Kotri, inflow was 243,000 cusecs and outflow 222,000 cusecs.
No flood threat at present, says Bajrani
Sindh irrigation minister Shabbir Bijarani, after reviewing the situation at Guddu barrage, said there was no risk of flooding.
He noted that even if Panjnad’s full discharge reached Guddu, the flow would be about 600,000 cusecs, within the barrage’s capacity.
“Given this capacity, there is no likelihood of a super flood. Sindh is safe from flood pressure,” he said.
Arrangements have also been made to assist residents in katcha areas.