Quick Answer: Torrential monsoon rains submerged the Manikyala-Sihala railway track near Rawalpindi under nearly two feet of water, forcing Pakistan Railways to suspend operations and hold eight trains bound for Lahore, Multan, Quetta, and Karachi. Passengers were stranded for six to eight hours.
What Happened
Heavy rain for the fourth consecutive day inundated railway tracks in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, disrupting train operations across the twin cities. The worst-hit section, Manikyala-Sihala, was submerged under close to two feet of water, prompting railway authorities to suspend operations on the route between 6am and 5pm until floodwater receded.
Trains arriving from both Lahore and Karachi were also stopped from entering the affected section as a safety precaution.
Trains and Passengers Affected
- Eight trains halted, including Pakistan Express, Khyber Mail, Rehman Baba, Tezgam, and two Rawalpindi–Lahore railcars.
- Affected trains were held at Chaklala Railway Station while the track was cleared.
- Passengers remained stranded for six to eight hours, with some staging protests over the lack of food and basic facilities during the delay.
- Once services resumed, railway officials declared the Manikyala-Sihala section “highly hazardous” and restricted train speeds to just 10–15 km/h as a precaution.
Why the Track Flooded
Rawalpindi experienced its fourth straight day of heavy rainfall, with several low-lying areas already inundated before the railway disruption. The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Rawalpindi declared a rain emergency and deployed staff and heavy machinery to critical points across the city, including Gawalmandi, Liaquat Bagh, Committee Chowk Underpass, Murree Road, and Sadiqabad, to manage drainage.
What Railway Authorities Are Doing
- Operations on the Manikyala-Sihala section will only fully normalize once the track is officially declared clear of water damage.
- Speed restrictions remain in place on the affected stretch to prevent derailment risk on the waterlogged and potentially weakened track bed.
- Passengers have been advised to check with their nearest railway station or the Pakistan Railways helpline before travelling during ongoing monsoon spells.
FAQs
Q: Which trains were affected by the Rawalpindi track flooding?
Pakistan Express, Khyber Mail, Rehman Baba, Tezgam, and two Rawalpindi-Lahore railcars were held at Chaklala Railway Station.
Q: How long were train services suspended?
Operations were suspended from 6am to 5pm on the affected section, though passengers faced delays of six to eight hours in total.
Q: Is it safe to travel by train in Rawalpindi during monsoon season?
Pakistan Railways has imposed reduced speed limits (10-15 km/h) on vulnerable sections as a precaution. Travellers should confirm train status before heading to the station during heavy rain spells.
Q: What caused the flooding on the railway track?
Four consecutive days of heavy monsoon rain caused the Manikyala-Sihala section to be submerged under nearly two feet of water.
This report is based on statements from Pakistan Railways and WASA Rawalpindi officials. Updated as new information on train schedules becomes available.
