A 14-year-old boy drowned in Nullah Leh in the Rawalpindi’s Hazara Colony area after a heavy downpour lashed the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad early Tuesday morning.
The heavy rain also left several low-lying areas of Rawalpindi flooded while numerous vehicles submerged in rainwater in some places.
The 14-year-old resident of Hazara Colony was swept away by flood waters in Nullah Leh. According to Rescue 1122, 14-year-old Furqan was swept away in flood water in Nullah Leh and efforts were under way to find the body. On the other hand, Furqan's family members started searching for the body on their own as civic agencies including Rescue 1122 teams failed to fish out the body.
At least four children trapped in Korang Nullah within the limits of Bani Gala police station were rescued on Tuesday.
According to the Islamabad administration spokesperson, the children were swept away by the fast-flowing water before the rescue operation was carried out.
The rescued children, 14-year-old Mustafa, 13-year-old Dilawar, 11-year-old Rafiullah and eight-year-old Noor were brothers and residents of Bani Gala. The children were later handed over to their parents.
Rainwater entered homes in low-lying areas as residents struggled to pump out the intruding water and mud.
Sirens were blown as the water level in Nullah Leh rose to 18 feet. Officials from the Pakistan Army and other aid agencies remain deployed along Nullah Leh along with boats to cope with emergencies. Rescue 1122, civil defence and PDMA teams have also been deployed along Nullah Leh.
Authorities said that in case of more rains, spillways of Rawal Dam will be opened as the Meteorological Department has forecast more rains in the coming days. Instructions were also issued to the people living in low-lying areas and along drains to remain vigilant.
Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shahbaz has issued orders to all institutions including the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) to remain on high alert during the pre-monsoon rains.
The heavy rain in the early hours of Tuesday morning caused severe distress to residents in flood-prone areas.
The rainwater entered the former interior minister Sheikh Rashid's Lal Haveli, Sports Bazaar, Mochi Bazaar, Bohar Bazaar, Moti Bazaar, Fruit Mandi, Urdu Bazaar and other areas, causing great damage to property.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 6th, 2022.
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