Torrential rains have caused huge losses of life and property across Rawalpindi division. At least 13 deaths were reported in Rawalpindi and Jhelum districts. Another three people are feared to have drowned, but their bodies had not been recovered when this report was filed.
Seven deaths and several injuries have been reported in different areas of Rawalpindi due to heavy rains, mudslides and collapsed housing units. Relief activities have been initiated by the Rawalpindi administration, but flooded roads have left rescue workers with an uphill task.
One man was killed and four others were seriously injured in a mudslide in Soan Camp.
The deceased was identified as Muhammad Bilal, while the injured were identified as Muhammad Azeem, Muhammad Pervaiz, Haji Mehrban and Muhammad Saddam. All five were from Swat and were temporarily living in a mud house near Soan Bridge. They were shifted to Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH) by the rescue workers.
BBH sources confirmed the death of one person and added that one of the injured was buried under heaps of mud and was rescued much later than the others.
Meanwhile, three laborers were killed in Bahria Town when the wall they were building collapsed due to the downpour. They were identified as Khalid 25, Jameel, 40, and Farman, 50. An unidentified man also lost his life in a roof collapse in Gujar Khan.
A 14-year-old boy identified as Sajjid Mehmood, a resident of Fauji Colony, near Pirwadhai, drowned in Nullah Leh. His body had not been recovered till the filing of this report.
In another incident, a man and his wife, residents of Kallar Syedan, drowned after their car went into water near Samot. Their bodies had not been recovered when this report was filed.
Heavy downpours also inundated many roads and low-lying areas of the city. People had to take refuge on the roofs of their houses in some areas including Christian Colony near Soan Bridge, Chontra and Adiala villages. Utility poles in the area were also damaged and electricity remained suspended for almost six hours. Rainwater also damaged a large greenhouse near Soan Bridge.
Military boats and helicopters have been rescuing and evacuating people from flooded areas to higher ground. A total of 368 people including 113 people were rescued from Christian Colony, 42 from Chontra, 24 from Jabar Miana and 188 from Tarlai near Khanna Pul.
Meanwhile, the Airport Police Station was flooded and the offices and lock up were seen submerged in rainwater. The water level in the police station rose to almost six feet and also caused some damage to official records.
According to the meteorological department, 279 mm of rain had been recorded in Rawalpindi till the time report was filed. Weather officials are of the view that more rain is expected over the next hours. A flood emergency has been imposed in the city by the administration and residents of areas near Nullah Leh have been directed by the authorities to be prepared in case of any emergency.
WASA spokesperson Muhammad Umar Farooq told The Express Tribune that a special meeting was held in the commissioner’s office this morning to evaluate the situation. He said that the special committee formulated by the government would monitor the situation. The water level and flow in Nullah Leh is normal at present, but the situation can change with more rainfall expected in the coming hours, he said. He said there was an emergency situation earlier, after the water level in Nullah Leh rose to 19 feet, but it passed safely.
He said Arian Mohallah, Nadeem Colony, Dhok Syedan, Dhok Chaudhrian, Afandi Colony, Dhok Ilahae Baksh, Sadiqabad and Muslim Town were areas which could be badly affected in case of floods and further downpours due to the absence of proper drainage.
He that said by 3pm on Friday, 278 mm of rain was recorded near Rawalpindi Medical College (RMC), 243mm at Saidpur, 279mm at Chaklala, 195mm at Bokra and 197 at Golra, while the water level was recorded at 1.91m at Katarian and 1.89m at Gawalmandi Bridge. He added that the areas adjoining Soan Bridge could be under severe threat in case of more rains.
A Rescue 1122 spokesperson said that almost 96 people including 38 men, 34 women and 24 children had been rescued from different areas of Rawalpindi. He confirmed at least five deaths.
DCO Sajid Zafar Dal told The Express Tribune that there were reports of damage to 93 houses and two bridges in Kallar Syedan and Kotli Sattian.
He added that nine causalities have been reported so far including three in Bahria Town, two each in Kallar Syedan and Chontra, and one in Gujar Khan. Three injuries have also been reported, he said.
A total of 110 people have been evacuated from Soan in a joint operation by the army, Rescue 1122, civil defense and other civic agencies, he added. The families of the deceased will be given Rs500,000 each in government aid, he said.
Six killed in Dina
Earlier, on Thursday evening, eight people were swept away by a flooded stream near Dina in Jhelum district when an out-of use bridge on GT Road collapsed. Two of them were rescued, while five dead bodies were recovered on Friday. One other remains missing and rescue officials feared he may also have died.
Four NLC employees were standing on the bridge when it collapsed. Two of them were rescued. A motorcyclist along with three children was also swept away. The bodies of the children were recovered on Friday, while the body of the motorcyclist, their uncle, is still missing. Meanwhile, an IESCO lineman who was repairing a utility pole in Dina died due to electrocution on Friday.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 6th, 2014.
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well it is rainy season so im sure there are storms right behind that one. shame.