Persistent rains keep twin cities on edge

Leh reaches 22 feet at Katarian; Soan swells as stormwater surge enters waterway

RAWALPINDI:

A powerful monsoon spell continued to affect the twin cities and surrounding areas for the fifth consecutive day on Friday, with intermittent torrential rain causing a significant increase in water flows in Nullah Leh, the Soan River and other stormwater drains.

The risk of urban flooding in low-lying areas kept the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), district administration and emergency services on high alert. Water levels in Nullah Leh rose again on Friday morning but fell rapidly after the rain eased, with the situation returning to normal by afternoon and an all-clear being issued.

The latest spell has proved unusually intense for the twin cities, with Nullah Leh reaching dangerous levels several times in recent days. During heavy rainfall earlier this week, the water level reached 22 feet at Katarian and between 17 and 17.5 feet at Gawalmandi. Warning sirens were sounded, residents of low-lying areas were advised to evacuate and rescue operations were carried out at several locations.

A fresh spell of rain began at 4:05am on Friday. According to Flood Control Room data, Golra received the highest rainfall at 61mm, followed by Shamsabad with 51mm, PMD 37mm, Bokra 36mm, New Katarian 35mm and Pirwadhai 29mm. Significant rainfall was also recorded in other parts of the twin cities.

The average rainfall across the Nullah Leh basin was recorded at 41.78mm. As rainfall intensified in the morning, the water level in Nullah Leh rose to 14 feet at Katarian and 11 feet at Gawalmandi, triggering a pre-alert at both locations.

However, water levels began falling steadily after the rain eased. By 11am, the level had dropped to around eight feet at both locations. According to the latest sensor readings at 2:30pm, it had fallen to 4.5 feet at Katarian and three feet at Gawalmandi, with the water continuing to recede and the all-clear remaining in place.

The pre-alert level is 11.4 feet at Katarian and 8.3 feet at Gawalmandi.

Amid continued rainfall, WASA Rawalpindi maintained a rain emergency and deployed staff and heavy machinery at vulnerable locations. Teams remained stationed in low-lying areas, including Gawalmandi, Liaquat Bagh, Committee Chowk Underpass, Murree Road, Sadiqabad, City Saddar Road, Dhoke Khabba, Millat Colony and Arya Mohalla, to deal with drainage issues.

Nullah Leh and other stormwater drains across the city also remained under continuous surveillance.

The heavy rainfall has also caused a sharp increase in water flow in the Soan River. Earlier this week, a major surge from Nullah Leh and the city's stormwater drains entered the river, creating flood-like conditions.

During periods of heavy rain, water reached homes and roads in low-lying areas, while Rescue 1122 teams used boats to move stranded residents to safer locations. Following the highest rainfall of the current monsoon season recorded in the twin cities on Wednesday, the Soan River swelled considerably, with water entering homes, shops and markets in low-lying areas. Stranded residents were also rescued from Gulrez Colony and other localities.

 

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Encroachments worsen flooding

 

our correspondent

ISLAMABAD. Climate change has created numerous challenges, but despite this, monsoon rains have become a source of misery for Rawalpindi residents because of alleged negligence of the district administration.

The loss of property and lives during monsoon rains is linked to encroachments along drains in densely populated areas, including Ratta Amral, Dhok Ratta, Gawalmandi, Pirwadhai, Kartarpura, Mohanpura, Swan Bridge, Jhandachichi Bridge, Airport Housing Scheme, Fazal Town, Lala Zar and areas near Tej Bhata, as well as encroachments on drainage channels within the city.

Orders to remove these encroachments are allegedly issued only as paperwork, resulting in rainwater accumulating inside homes, grain stores and other warehouses and causing financial losses.

A senior member of the district administration said action against people responsible for the encroachments could not be taken because of political pressure.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, the official said a fresh survey was being conducted in coordination with the administrations of Rawalpindi city and the cantonment.

 

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Dams near full after 5 days of rain

 

our correspondent

RAWALPINDI. Continuous monsoon rains over the past five days have brought widespread rainfall to the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, while also filling all three dams supplying water to the cities.

The spillways of Rawal Dam have also been opened.

Following the rise in water levels, the Rawalpindi and Islamabad administrations have banned swimming and fishing in the Swan River and Korang Stream, as well as swimming, recreational activities and fishing, particularly in the Rawal Dam spillway areas. Orders have been issued to register FIRs against violators.

Rawal Dam has a water storage capacity of 1,752 acre-feet, while its current water level stands at 1,749 acre-feet. The spillways were opened last week when the level rose further, bringing the water level back to normal. Khanpur Dam has a storage capacity of 1,982 acre-feet and currently holds 1,964 acre-feet of water. Simly Dam has a storage capacity of 2,315.45 acre-feet and currently contains 2,314 acre-feet.

The catchment areas of all three dams extend between eight and 10 kilometres, and water from these areas continues to flow toward the dams.

The incoming water is being supplied to meet the needs of the twin cities and balance water availability.