Torrential rain triggers power outages
A stranded motorcyclist struggles to get his bike up and running after it gets stuck in a ditch on a submerged road near Baraf Khana Chowk in Dhoke Syedan, Rawalpindi. Photo: Express
A torrential downpour accompanied by gusty triggered a blackout in several parts of the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi and Attock district after several IESCO feeders tripped on Monday evening.
The citizens also remained without electricity for several hours as several feeders tripped in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Attock districts.
The torrential rain also brought down the mercury level as the weather changed suddenly around 3 pm after the heavy downpour.
Motorists also faced difficulty as the rainwater accumulated on roads, also causing traffic jams on Murree Road, Rawal Road, Mall Road, Airport Road and IJP Road.
According to the Met Office, 36 millimetres (mm) of rain was recorded in Golra, 30mm in Chaklala and 29mm in Shamsabad. The water level in Nullah Leh rose seven metres after the heavy rain spell.
An IESCO spokesperson said that 17 feeders tripped in Islamabad, 15 in Attock, 33 in Rawalpindi city and 33 in cantonment areas.
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He said that teams had been dispatched to restore electricity after the rain stopped. He advised the citizens to stay away from wires, poles and transformers to avoid any untoward incident.
The metrological department has predicted more rain in the next 24 hours. The new monsoon system in the country will remain until September 25, it said.
CDA staff put on alert
Meanwhile, a spokesperson said that Capital Development Authority (CDA) officials were closely monitoring all drains and nullahs to prevent flooding in Islamabad.
According to him, all emergency response centres have been activated in the city and the CDA’s engineering wing had been tasked to supervise the water level in drains and nullahs after the rain.
He said that various formations of the authority remained busy in draining water accumulated in several areas.
“All staffs have been put on high alert as more rains are expected in coming days, while a flood-cell has been established with the help of Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad and federal capital administration to swiftly respond to any emergency situation,” he said.
The federal capital police were also deployed across the city to avoid any untoward situation, the spokesperson said.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 21st, 2021.