Heavy rain wreaks havoc in Rawalpindi
Residents in the flooded neighbourhoods said the rainwater entered their homes but the local administration didn’t come to their help. PHOTOS: EXPRESS/AGENCIES
At least two people including a woman were killed after heavy rain wreaked havoc across Rawalpindi city and Cantonment areas on Wednesday morning.
Rainwater entered several residential areas in the garrison city causing severe damage to property and valuables worth millions of rupees.
The heavy downpour also brought routine life and businesses to a standstill as district and Cantonment boards’ administration failed to respond to flooding caused by the heavy downpour.
Power supply to several localities also remained suspended for several hours during the rain while stagnant water caused traffic jams on major roads and highways.
Life came to a complete halt due to the accumulation of rainwater in the streets of Dhoke Kala Khan, Dhoke Kashmirian, Sadiqabad and Rahimabad. Traffic also remained jammed on Murree Road, Rawal Road, Jhelum Road, Mall Road, Airport Road and Jamia Masjid Road. Citizens were stuck in their cars for hours.
Four houses caved-in in Adiala Katchiabadi as residents in the neighbourhood climbed on rooftops of houses to save their lives. The residents demanded immediate relief operation from the Punjab government in the affected areas.
The heavy rain in the twin cities raised the water level in Nullah Leh to 12 feet. Rainwater entered residential areas with Chaklala Cantonment being declared the worst affected area with five to six feet of water accumulated in streets and roads.
Raja Akram Colony, Nai Abadi Tali Mohri, Lane 7, Morgah Mor, Gulshan Shafi, Rahimabad were the most affected areas in Chaklala Cantonment.
Flood water entered houses in different areas of the Rawalpindi Cantonment including People's Colony, Dhok Abdul Latif, Aslam Market, Ahmedabad, Dhamyal Camp, Rabbani Town, Ghaziabad, Mohalla Groti, Shah Zaman Town, Mohalla Shah Khalid, Chak Jalaluddin, Jan Colony, Kamalabad, Dhok Syedan, Tench Bhatta, Dhok Juma, New Lalazar Colony, Girja Road, Millat Colony, Qasimabad, Misryal Road and Madina Colony.
In urban areas, rainwater entered houses in Dhok Elahi Bakhsh, Arya Mohalla, Nadeem Colony, Chamanzar, Javed Colony, Fazlabad, Amrapura, Jamia Masjid Road and Bani, damaging electronic gadgets, furniture and other items of the citizens.
Four mud houses on a mud hill near Adiala Road collapsed, killing 12-year-old Abu Bakar on the spot and seriously injuring several animals.
The second incident took place in Jan Colony, where a 50-year-old woman died after her house was flooded. Locals protested and raised slogans on the main highway over the death of the woman. Citizens alleged that the Cantonment board administration did not clean the drains before the monsoon season, which caused rainwater to enter homes.
A part of a house on the bank of a drain in the Dhok Saidan area was completely destroyed. A three-year-old, Azhaan, sleeping on the mattress was swept away in the water. He was pronounced dead by Rescue 1122 and shifted to the hospital. However, upon arrival at the hospital, the baby's breathing was restored. According to sources, the baby has been shifted to the ICU, where his condition is stated to be critical.
Residents of the Dhok Jumma area also protested against the rain-induced devastation. Residents of the area blocked the only bridge over the canal and chanted slogans against the Punjab government.
The affected citizens said that rainwater has caused havoc in the area but no official of the local administration was seen in the field.
Seeing the horrible flow of water in the streets of Chaklala Cantonment Scheme III, the citizens climbed on the roofs and waited for the rainwater to subside.
When the rainwater level subsided, the citizens took wet goods from their houses to put dry them in the streets.
According to the Meteorological Department, the highest rainfall of 86 millimetres was recorded in Chaklala. The Meteorological Department said that the current series of rains could continue till July 17. It said that heavy rains could lead to flooding in low-lying areas.
Meanwhile, a red alert has been issued for 10 major storm drains flowing in the city and Cantonment areas including Nullah Leh from July 20 to 30 due to the forecast of heavy rains.
The pre-monsoon season will end tomorrow, Friday, and the regular monsoon season will begin on Saturday.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 14th, 2022.