Islamabad has achieved a major milestone in sustainable water management by successfully redirecting around 19 million gallons of monsoon rainwater underground through its rainwater harvesting system at Kachnar Park in Sector I-8 during 2025.
Instead of overwhelming stormwater drains and contributing to urban flooding, the harvested rainwater was stored beneath the ground to naturally recharge underground aquifers. This innovative approach not only reduced pressure on the city’s drainage infrastructure during heavy rainfall but also helped strengthen Islamabad’s long-term water security.
According to the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), the project has already delivered measurable results, with earlier phases increasing the local groundwater table by nearly four metres. The initiative is being recognised as a successful example of climate-resilient urban planning, demonstrating how modern rainwater harvesting systems can address both flood risks and groundwater depletion while promoting sustainable management of precious water resources.
