Floodwaters leave trail of destruction
Floodwaters that inundated the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad following Tuesday's torrential rain and the frightening surge of water from Rawal Dam's spillway receded after nine hours, but left behind a terrifying trail of destruction in 210 streets and neighbourhoods and 35 small and large markets across the city. About 85 per cent of the affected city is mourning the destruction caused by the devastating floods.
On Wednesday, destroyed expensive sofa sets, damaged single and double beds, mattresses, wooden furniture, tables, chairs and cupboards could be seen lying at various places in the streets of low-lying areas across the city. Residents washed clothes ruined by floodwater and spread them in 50-foot-long lines in streets to dry.
Those who did not have space to dry their clothes tied ropes and wires in streets and hung clothes and sheets on them.
Roofs of houses and plazas throughout the city were covered with washed clothes and sheets. Children's toys, daily-use utensils and shoes were also washed and spread out to dry.
More than half the city was also without electricity and gas, forcing residents to order breakfast, lunch and dinner from hotels.
The terrifying flood left behind destruction in homes after water ranging from five to 12 feet remained there for eight to 10 hours. Women, children, girls and men took leave from offices and schools and spent the day cleaning their homes.
They themselves sprayed disinfectant and room sprays and removed dead rats and cockroaches from their houses.
A large number of relatively well-off residents hired labourers to clean their homes, clothes and utensils, while poor women were also hired to wash dishes and clothes.
Residents faced severe difficulties in cleaning because WASA's water supply had remained suspended for more than 24 hours. They were also forced to buy water tankers from WASA for Rs1,500 to Rs2,000.
According to an initial survey, each household suffered losses ranging from Rs300,000 to Rs2.5 million, while each shopkeeper suffered financial losses of between Rs2.5 million and Rs30 million.
The major wholesale commercial centres, including Raja Bazaar, Bara Bazaar, Talwaran Bazaar, Mochi Bazaar, Sarai Mughal, Electronics Market, Sabzi Mandi, Narnkari Bazaar, Tanch Bhatta Bazaar and Tyre Bazaar, along with wholesale dealers in adjoining areas, suffered losses running into millions of rupees.
Thirty-six hours after the floodwaters receded, none of the federal or provincial ministers, advisers, lawmakers, senators, PML-N leaders, commissioner, deputy commissioner or assistant commissioners had visited any affected low-lying area of Rawalpindi.
Residents of the affected areas expressed anger and resentment and staged protests against the government and administration.
Residents of the lowest-lying areas of Fazalabad, Javed Colony and Nadeem Colony - Arshad Ali, Wajid Mahmood, Naveed Khan and Haji Khaliq Dad - said water had risen 10 to 12 feet inside their homes, completely submerging single-storey houses. They said the sudden flood gave them no time to save even a spoon, forcing them to run to the second floor to save their lives and their children and animals.
They said everything was submerged, cupboards were emptied and money, valuable documents, house registration papers and certificates kept in cupboards and drawers were soaked and damaged.
Sewage water completely destroyed furniture, while grocery items were washed away from shops in streets and neighbourhoods. All cloth goods were also completely damaged by dirty water.
Meanwhile, the flood has proved lucrative for scrap dealers, as a large number of them headed towards flooded areas and bought iron furniture, mattresses, household utensils and other items at throwaway prices. Valuable women's clothing was also purchased cheaply by scrap dealers.