Army called after rain hits Rawalpindi, Islamabad

The army's help was sought for rescue and relief work in Pakistan's Rawalpindi city after a heavy downpour Tuesday swamped the city along with Islamabad.

Due to flooding in Rawalpindi's Nullah Lai, a rain water-fed natural stream flowing through the city, the meteorological department issued a red alert over the alarming situation while the Rawalpindi administration instructed the residents of the nearby areas to evacuate, Geo News reported.

Despite the weather turning pleasant, accumulated rainwater posed difficulties for residents living in areas adjoining Nullah Lai as the water level reached the maximum level.

Many low-lying areas were inundated by the rainwater while several roads of Islamababd and Rawalpindi were also water-logged, leading to massive traffic snarls.

The army's help has been sought in Gawalmandi area of Rawalpindi while rainwater has inundated Gulbahar, Kohat Road, Charsadda Road and other areas of the garrison town, a spokesman of the Town Municipal Administration (TMA) said.

Since Monday, 54 mm rainfall was recorded in Peshawar, 49 mm in Risalpur, 47 mm Islamabad and 30 mm in Sialkot.