Islamabad:Torrential rain in the twin cities severely disrupted routine life, causing traffic congestion and difficulties for commuters travelling between Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Heavy rain that started on Tuesday morning inundated several roads and low-lying areas of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Videos circulating on social media showed water accumulation on major roads, including different sections of the Islamabad Expressway, where vehicles were seen moving through deep floodwater.
The situation created serious difficulties for thousands of commuters who were travelling to their workplaces during the morning rush hour. Commuters remained stranded for hours as water accumulated on roads and traffic movement slowed down to a complete halt. Many office workers were unable to reach their workplaces on time, while others faced significant delays in returning home after the end of the working day.
The flooding on the Islamabad Expressway particularly affected traffic flow between the twin cities, with waterlogged sections causing long queues and forcing motorists to commute cautiously.
Videos that were shared on media and social media from different parts of the twin cities showed vehicles stranded in water, while pedestrians faced difficulties crossing the roads.The impact was also felt across Rawalpindi, where several low-lying localities and major roads were inundated.
The rising water level in Nullah Leh triggered urban flooding in all adjoining areas where mostly Gwalmandi, Moti bazar and adjoining markets were worst hit. Rawalpindi district administration announced closure of educational institutions on Tuesday as a precautionary measure.
Several major roads in Rawalpindi were reported to be inundated, resulting in traffic jams and disruption of activities. The heavy rainfall once again exposed the challenges posed by intense downpours to the drainage and traffic infrastructure of the twin cities.
Commuters urged the authorities to ensure effective drainage along major roads, particularly the Islamabad Expressway, and to take timely measures to prevent water accumulation. The commuters also called for improved traffic management during extreme weather so that residents could plan their journeys accordingly.
