Pindi's flood-hit areas face health risks

Residents of flood-affected low-lying areas in Rawalpindi on Saturday expressed growing fears of disease outbreaks following torrential rainfall that inundated streets and homes on Friday, leaving behind stagnant sewage, foul-smelling mud and piles of waste after floodwaters receded.

Although the water subsided within six to eight hours in most neighbourhoods, affected residents said thick layers of contaminated silt, ranging from three to six inches, now cover streets and alleys. Dead rats, insects, lizards and other vermin have also been found in several localities, heightening concerns over public health.

Many families spent Friday and Saturday nights awake, fearing renewed flooding, while commercial activity remained largely paralysed. Residents spent Saturday cleaning and disinfecting their homes with phenyl, detergent and disinfectants, drying soaked belongings on rooftops and in streets, and removing damaged household items.

Fresh rainfall on Saturday caused waterlogging once again, resulting in severe traffic congestion across the twin cities. Fearing another flood, many families living along Nullah Leh and other seasonal streams temporarily relocated to safer areas.