Rawalpindi : Torrential rain in Rawalpindi brought life to a standstill, with streets and roads transforming into ponds and water invading homes.
The relentless downpour caused the water level in Nullah-Leh to rise significantly, prompting authorities to issue warnings to residents and emergency services.
The Meteorological Department reported that 65mm of rain was recorded in Saidpur, 51mm in Golra, 110mm in P. Bokra, and 94mm in the Kutcherry area.
Consequently, the water level in Nullah Leh reached 10 feet at Katariyan and 9.5 feet at Gawalmandi, leading to a pre-alert being issued for the Gawalmandi area.
The heavy rainfall also led to severe flooding in various parts of Rawalpindi, with rainwater entering homes and streets resembling lakes.
Residents in areas such as Shalley Valley, Tench Bhatta, and People’s Colony found themselves trapped as their homes were surrounded by water.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Rawalpindi Hassan Waqar Cheema here on Saturday visited Nullah Leh and reviewed the water level after heavy rain in the twin cities, Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
He said that the situation was normal and the authorities concerned were monitoring the situation.
He informed that Rawalpindi received 72 mm rainfall on Saturday.
In Nullah Leh, the water level was recorded up to 9.5 feet at Gawalmandi and 11.8 at Kattarian.
The officers and personnel of all the departments concerned including Rescue-1122 and WASA were on high alert at all 19 vulnerable points particularly in low-lying areas to cope with any emergency. He urged the citizens not to go near drains.
All the arrangements were in place to deal with urban flooding, he informed.
13 relief camps were established in Rawalpindi to provide relief and assistance to the citizens, Hasan Waqar Cheema said adding, Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) was monitoring the water level situation in Nullah Leh.
Meanwhile, Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) on the directives of Commissioner Rawalpindi Division, Engineer Aamir Khattak and Director General (DG) RDA, Kinza Murtaza, has launched an operation to remove encroachments from banks of Nullah Leh.
The RDA spokesman told on Saturday that the RDA enforcement team demolished illegal constructions in Dhoke Naju, Khayaban-e-Sir Syed, Rattaamral and Gungmandi areas.
He informed that the officials while conducting operations took strict action against the rules violators.
The operation was supervised by Director Land RDA, Malik Ghazanfar Ali Awan, Assistant Commissioner, City Rawalpindi, Hakim Khan and other officials concerned.
The DG RDA had directed the authorities concerned to take strict action against the rules violators and no one should be allowed to indulge in illegal constructions and dumping of solid waste and garbage on the banks of Nullah Leh.
He said that FIRs would also be lodged against those found violating orders of the administration.
The DG had instructed the authorities to take action against the rules violators without any discrimination.