NDMA on alert after downpours trigger floods in twin cities

Ag APP

ISLAMABAD: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) was put on high alert by the Prime Minister on Wednesday after torrential downpours triggered flash flooding in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, leaving at least two people dead.

Prime Minister Khan took notice of the situation and cautioned citizens to take special care as the monsoon season brought heavy rains to the country. “I have also directed all the relevant response agencies including NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority) to be on high alert with ready and rapid emergency response actions,” he tweeted.

At least two people, including a minor, lost their lives as urban flooding caused by the rains inundated streets and main roads in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. The deaths occurred in Islamabad, when four children and their mother were caught in water when a nearby drain overflowed and water entered their dwelling, reportedly in the basement level, according to media reports. Three children were rescued while one child and the mother died.

Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat said in a tweet that there was flooding in several areas of Islamabad and requested cooperation with the teams clearing nullahs and roads.

Viral videos from Islamabad’s sectors E-11 and D-12 show cars floating in the gushing waters. Sector E-11 in Islamabad is located next to the Margalla Hills, which is why the hill torrents developed as the water made its way down.

The rain began in Islamabad at night and there were reports of damage to electricity poles and bridges. Pakistan Meteorological Department Spokesman Dr Zaheer Babar told state media that various parts of the federal capital received “record-breaking” rains.

He warned that heavy rains would generate flash flooding in local nullahs of Hazara, including areas such as Shangla, Buner, Batgram, Mansehra, Balakot and Abbottabad. Various cities including Swat, Kohistan, Mardan, Charsadda, Kohat, Kashmir, Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Sialkot, Narowal and DG Khan would also receive heavy rain fall during the next 24 hours.

He further informed that these rains would cause urban flooding in Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Faisalabad and Peshawar during the period. Heavy downpours could also trigger landslides in the vulnerable areas of Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhuwa, he added.

Pakistan Army troops joined relief efforts, after the rains raised the water level in Rawalpindi’s Nullah Lai the water logging in sector E-11 sector, said the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The Army troops were busy assisting civil administration in rescue and relief efforts, it said. It further said the contingencies plans were in place to meet any flood situation.

Meanwhile, interior minister Sheikh Rashid visited areas of Rawalpindi to inspect arrangements. He told reporters that the administration, including the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa), Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation, Rescue-1122, police, army troops and other departments were on high alert to deal with any situation particularly in low lying areas of the city.