Drenched: Low-lying areas inundated by rainwater

Residents along Nullah Leh vacate houses to avoid mishaps, decry Pindi’s poor sanitation.


Our Correspondent August 12, 2013
The recent rains caused extreme flooding in many low-lying areas of Rawalpindi. PHOTO: APP

RAWALPINDI: Heavy rain lashed out the garrison city on Saturday night inundating almost all low-laying areas and surging water level to 20 feet in Nullah Leh.

The rain water entered many houses in low-laying areas and by the time the rain stopped, the residents themselves threw out water from their houses in buckets as no help could be seen forthcoming from the authorities.

The rising water level in Nullah Leh and flash flood warnings by authorities created panic among the residents, forcing them to shift to safe places.

“I have shifted my family to my uncle’s house in Shamsabad and spent the whole night on the rooftop of my house observing the water level in Nullah Leh,” said Shoaib, a resident of Gawalmandi, where, according to a rescue official, the water level had reached to dangerous 21 feet.

A Rescue 1122 official told The Express Tribune that all departments have been on red alert since the water level in Nullah Leh crossed 13.5 feet. “Warnings were issued to the residents when it crossed the 18 feet level.”

According to the official, no casualty related to the rain was reported from any part of the city.

The flooded streets and roads caused horrible traffic jams on almost all major roads.

“There was chaos on all arterial roads including GT Road, Murree Road and Rawal Road as traffic signals did not function properly and choked drains flooded the streets,” said Ahmad, a motorist.

He said that pedestrians were seen wading through the streets flooded by rain water. He complained that traffic wardens failed to regulate the traffic flow.

“It took me almost two hours to reach home from Islamabad as traffic was moving at a snail’s pace,” he claimed.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 12th, 2013.

COMMENTS (1)

A. Khan | 10 years ago | Reply

It is unrealistic to expect authorities to help everyone immediately once there is a catastrophe. Its simply not possible, even in developed countries. A recent rain storm in Toronto stranded people on a commuter train for 7-8 hours, roads were flooded and power was cut, in some places for over 12 hours.

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