[1][2] Continuous downpour lasted for about 10 hours from 0600 to 1600 PST in Islamabad and Rawalpindi,[1][2][3][4] caused the worst ever Flash flood in the local stream called Nulla Lai and its tributaries of Rawalpindi, which not only flood the low-lying areas of the twin cities but swept away the banks of the stream and buildings built in the encroachments.
The cloud burst was the result of the sequel of vigorously developed cloud due to the combined effect of well marked westerly trough (Westerly wave), passing over 500hpa with enough supply of moisture from southwest monsoon.
There was a gradually accentuating upper air westerly trough at 500 hpa between 40-50ºN and 60-70ºE and there were strong monsoon incursions from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal while the southwesterly monsoon current from the Arabian Sea showed strong convergence over Islamabad, Rawalpindi District and Hazara and Malakand Divisions and the presence of a strong southeasterly monsoon current from along the foothills of the Himalayas caused the cloudburst over the twin cities of Rawalpindi/Islamabad.
[6] Rainfall recorded by Pakistan Meteorological Department in different locations of Islamabad and Rawalpindi is detailed below.
Due to the continuous heavy downpour, the Nullah Lai and its tributaries over flooded and inundated the nearby houses, bridges and roads.