Citizens flock to catch fish in rivers, nullahs
People move a fishing boat to a safer place along the shore ahead of Cyclone Tauktae in Veraval in the western state of Gujarat, India, May 17, 2021. PHOTO: REUTERS
A large number of fishermen and citizens flocked to rivers and nullahs to catch fish that had swam down Koran Nullah and Sawan River after heavy rains triggered the opening of the Rawal Dam spillway.
Officials said that after the dam was filled to its capacity, its spillway was opened to discharge excess water, which led to the outflow of fish from the conduit.
Many citizens could be seen fishing along the narrow corridors of Nullah Korang, Sawan River and Korkang to catch the fish. The opening of the spillway has brought a bounty of freshwater fish that has lured both fishermen and a flock of birds eager to get an easy meal from the water brimming with fish.
Fish enthusiasts peered out in ambush in the narrow lanes of Nullah Korang to seize the prey. When the Islamabad Deputy Commissioner announced the opening of the spillway after the Rawal Dam filled to the brim, numerous youth and fishermen gathered around the Sawan River and Nullah Korang to catch the fish being brought down by the outflowing water.
Many people have kept their focus on spaces where the Nullah Korang is narrow and there is a chance of certain prey in such.
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In the river, fish could be seen tossing and flinging in freshwater as fishermen lunged to catch it. Fishermen and citizens have caught tons of fish in the last two days and they are happy with the catch.
Fayyaz, Waheed Ahmed and Khurshid Alzaman told The Express Tribune that they had caught eight to 10 kilograms of fish with little effort.
The water level in Nullah Korang has subsided, and the fish can be seen with naked eyes. The youth continued fishing in the wide area of Nullah Korang all day long although the district administration has banned bathing and fishing in Nullah Korang because of the danger of flood.
Besides fishing, the youngsters could be seen bathing all along Korang Nullah and Sawan River. The Koran Nullah starts from Murree hills and flows through Islamabad, Rawal Lake and fell into Sawan River along Rawalpindi GT Road. It is called the evergreen nullah and its water is clear in most places.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 1st, 2021.