Heavy rains that have been continuing for 18 hours have wreaked havoc in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

The 237mm of rain caused flooding in Nullah Lai and prompting emergency alerts.

A bridge over the Swan River was submerged while flooding occurred in the Sangjani area. Authorities have closed Motorway M-1 from Islamabad Interchange to Burhan Interchange.

Residents of the low-lying areas have been advised to move to safer locations.

Many streets in Rawalpindi have been turned into lakes, and water entered homes and shops in low-lying areas.

At least 24 people were trapped in floodwaters — 11 of whom have been rescued — while a car was swept away in a flooded drain.

In Rawalpindi, a rain emergency has been declared and a one-day public holiday announced.

Rawalpindi’s low-lying areas, including Chaklala, Bokra, and Golra have been submerged.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called an emergency meeting to review the flood situation in Rawalpindi.

He called for immediate reports from the Rawalpindi Chief Commissioner and the Managing Director of WASA. The meeting will assess the damages and review safety measures.

Monsoon fury across Punjab

Other parts of Punjab also witnessed widespread destruction due to heavy monsoon rains.

Dozens of villages in Jhelum and Chakwal were submerged.

At least 40 people were left stranded after a small dam burst in the Tharabi area. Later, the stranded people were airlifted to safer places by a helicopter.

Chakwal experienced a rare cloudburst, recording 423 mm of rainfall. Kallar Kahar and Wahali Zair both saw 325 mm, while Aasidan Shah recorded 310 mm.

In Jhelum, the overflowing Nullah Banhah swept away dozens of cattle.

Meanwhile, Neelum Valley in Azad Kashmir also experienced continuous rain, causing a dangerous surge in river and stream levels.

63 dead, 290 injured in 24 hours

According to the authorities, heavy rains have claimed 63 lives and left 290 injured across Punjab in the past 24 hours.

The death toll includes 15 in Lahore, 9 in Faisalabad, 9 in Okara, 5 in Sahiwal, and 3 in Pakpattan.

Since the beginning of this monsoon season, 103 deaths and 393 injuries have been reported, with 128 homes either damaged or destroyed and 6 livestock deaths.

A dilapidated building collapsed in Lahore’s Akbari Gate area, killing three members of the same family. According to Rescue 1122, Zulfiqar Ali’s wife, son, and grandson died under the debris, while Zulfiqar himself survived.

His daughter narrowly escaped as she had just stepped out of the house.

The 12-hour rescue operation was hampered by rain, narrow alleys, and dangling electrical wires.

PMDA warnings

PDMA Director-General Irfan Ali Kathia confirmed that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed compensation for the families of the deceased and treatment for the injured.

All relevant agencies have been ordered to remain in the field and expedite water drainage from low-lying areas.

Authorities have urged residents to stay indoors and to contact Rescue 1122 in case of emergencies.

In Jhelum, 25 people were trapped in floodwaters in Burhan Nullah and Dhoke Baddar — 10 of whom were rescued by army helicopters. Life jackets were provided to the rest as rescue operations continued.

Chakwal recorded a staggering 470 mm of rain, flooding numerous areas. Dam embankments at Bukhari Kalan, Pinwal, and Maswal suffered damage. Four people died and 15 were injured as houses collapsed in separate incidents.