12 die as heavy rains lash Pindi, Islamabad

RAWALPINDI: Twelve people were killed in torrential rains that hit the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Tuesday. Like other parts of Punjab, heavy rain began here at around 11am causing massive destruction. Floods and incidents of roof collapses were reported from different localities.
The son of Hanif Khattak, a staff member of The News, was also carried away by the rainwater in Bhara Kahu. The Punjab government took notice of the situation and ordered the local management to utilise all resources to remove the rainwater from low-lying affected localities of Rawalpindi. The local management called the army for help at many points, particularly around the Nullah Leh.
The provincial government ordered all DCOs to adopt precautionary measures to avoid the floods in their areas. Rescue 1122 Spokesman Muhammad Waqas told The News: “We have found four dead bodies from different localities in Rawalpindi. Two of them have been identified as 15-year-old Hammad Ahmed and 18-year-old Muhammad Rehman.”
In addition, Ibrar Hussain died due to collapse of roof and 13-year-old Dawood drowned in Nullah Leh. The body of 14-year-old Alviya was recovered from the Nullah Leh and Arshad Mehmood, Atif Anees and Kamran were taken away by the rainwaters. Some unidentified bodies have also been recovered from the water.
The Director, Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), Dr Muhammad Hanif, said that heavy rain would continue in the next 24 hours in the twin cities. Nullah Leh may be overflowing for some days, he warned.
The water in Rawal Dam has risen to its full capacity, forcing the city government of Islamabad to open the spillways. The water of Soan River entered several villages situated along it causing damage to lives and property of citizens. Heavy floods in the river broke the 22-year record.
The Nullah Leh played havoc in Arya Mohallah, Nadeem Colony, Javed Colony, Jehangir Road, Dhoke Chiraghdin, Chamanzar, Gawalmandi, Ratta Amral, Dhoke Hassu, Dhoke Khabba, Dhoke Ratta, Sadiqabad, Muslim Town, Banni, Dhoke Kashmirian, Rawal Road, Tahli Mohrri, Lalkurti, Dheri Hassanabad, Dhoke Syedan, Misrial Road, Shakriyal, Muslim Colony, Amarpura, Ferozpura, Kartarpura, Bohar Bazaar, Moti Bazaar, Committee Chowk Underpass, Waris Khan Chowk, Rasheed Colony and Mukha Singh Estate.
Flood emergency was declared in the affected localities of Rawalpindi. Sirens were sounded by Rescue 1122 and an announcement was made on microphones at about 12:15am directing the people to go to safer places, as water in Nullah Leh would cross the danger level in one hour. Leh’s water started to gush into houses in low-lying areas at around 12:50am. People adopted safety measures by taking refuge in higher buildings, rooftops and upper floors of houses.
Army Jawans, volunteers and officials of the city district government including commissioner Rawalpindi, DCO, Wasa managing director and TMA administrator reached the spot along with their teams to supervise the overall rescue efforts. Electricity supply was suspended in majority of localities in Rawalpindi as soon as Nullah Leh’s water reached the dangerous level of 16-foot.
In Dera Ghazi Khan, a windstorm followed by heavy rain paralysed activities. The rain turned weather pleasant. However, rainwater inundated various localities including Liaqat Bazaar, Faridi Bazaar, College Road, Sadar Bazaar, Ghanta Ghar Bazaar and Goalbagh Quaid-e-Azam Road.
Rainwater also entered the houses in low-lying areas and caused problems for the people. The district administration completely failed to drain out the rainwater from various roads. Meanwhile, the power supply remained suspended for eight hours and could not be restored in rural areas after heavy rain till the filing of this report.