Torrential Rain Floods Low-Lying Areas Across Islamabad

Torrential rain accompanied by thunder, lightning and strong winds struck Islamabad on Saturday, flooding low-lying areas and disrupting daily activity across parts of the federal capital. The downpour also caused intermittent electricity outages in several sectors as the severe weather moved through Islamabad and other areas of the country.

Strong winds accompanying the rain caused a concert stage at the Islamabad Sports Complex to collapse. In Sector F-10, falling trees damaged vehicles and disrupted the flow of traffic, highlighting the immediate impact of the storm on roads and public infrastructure. The available information did not report casualties from the stage collapse, while motorists and residents faced difficulties caused by water accumulation and wind-related damage.

The spell was not confined to the capital. Haripur received rain and strong winds, where two people were injured after a tree fell in Paniya. Water also accumulated on roads in different parts of the area, creating additional problems for residents and commuters. The combination of rainfall and gusty winds increased the risk from falling trees and disrupted movement in affected localities.

Rainfall also brought a change in conditions in Peshawar, where the recent intense heat eased after the showers. In Batkhela, however, heavy rain accompanied by thunder and lightning caused streams and drains to swell and affected the electricity transmission system. Swabi also experienced heavy rainfall, with low-lying areas becoming inundated and residents facing difficulties because of standing water.

The Meteorological Department has forecast further rainfall in different parts of Pakistan until September 17, indicating that the current wet spell could continue for several more days. Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are among the regions expected to receive additional rain during the forecast period. The continuing spell means weather conditions may remain unsettled in northern and northwestern areas even after the immediate storm in Islamabad subsides.

Conditions are expected to differ in the southern provinces, where hot and humid weather is forecast for Sindh and Balochistan. The contrasting outlook underscores the wide variation in weather across Pakistan, with some regions dealing with heavy rain and water accumulation while others continue to experience heat and humidity.

The immediate focus in affected areas is expected to remain on clearing water from roads, restoring disrupted electricity services and removing fallen trees or other storm-related obstructions. With further rainfall forecast through September 17, residents in rain-affected regions will need to monitor official weather updates and changing local conditions as the spell develops across the country.