RAWALPINDI, July 11: Heavy rain lashed the twin cities on Tuesday morning, bringing some respite from the heatwave.

The residents woke up to a rainy weather with cloudy sky but later the sun managed to invade the clouds.

According to the meteorological department, last month the mercury remained above 40 degree Celsius with the maximum temperature rising to 45.5 degrees. The rain brought the temperature down from 40 degrees Celsius to 37 degrees in the federal capital and from 41 degrees to 38 in Rawalpindi.

The Met Office recorded 39mm rain in Islamabad and 23mm in Rawalpindi. It forecast more rain and cool winds sweeping northern parts of the country during the next 24 hours.

“A low pressure has developed over the northern areas of the country, including Islamabad, and we can expect more rainfall during the next 24 hours. The temperature is also likely to further decline in the coming days,” said an official in the Met Office.

The rain started at 4am and continued till 7:30am. However, the short spell exposed the improper drainage system in the city. The sewerage system in the downtown and areas adjacent to Leh Nullah choked and the water accumulated in the streets.

People had a tough time in draining out water in many parts of the city, including Dingi Khoi, Akalgarh, Nadeem Colony, Javed Colony, Dhoke Ratta, Jamia Masjid Road, Bani Chowk, Sadiqabad, Satellite Town, Bohar Bazaar, Muslim Town, Service Road and Chirah Road near Shamsabad.

In Islamabad, the worst affected areas were F-6, G-6, Aabpara Market, Lal Quarters, Karachi Company, I-8/4, G-8, I-9, I-10, the fruit and vegetable market.

The residents of the downtown areas in Rawalpindi said successive governments were equally responsible for the faulty sewerage system and choking of Leh Nullah. They said millions of rupees had been spent on the nullah but its condition remained unchanged.

Naveed Butt, a resident of Arya Mohallah, said they had to spend sleepless nights during the monsoon due to fear of flood.

Mohammad Nazir, of Jamia Masjid Road, said the provincial government had spent millions of rupees but the water submerged this part of the city soon after rains.

“Is there any government who will put a check and balance on the contractors who constructed the roads,” he said and added that the sewerage system in the city remained choked and nobody was paying heed to resolve the issue.

When contacted, District Officer Solid Waste Management Dr Mazhar Azeem said though there was 39mm rain in the city, Leh Nullah did not rise above some feet.

It may be mentioned that sirens are sounded when the nullah rises to the 18-foot mark.

He claimed that due to proper desilting of nullahs and drains, the rainwater did not accumulate low-lying areas.

The official admitted that the rainwater had submerged Service Road, Kuri Road, 7th Road, Chirah Road and Jamia Masjid Road. He said the sewerage system in the city was old and outdated and needed replacement.