Changing weather: Rain, hailstorm disrupts routine life in twin cities

Roads and low-lying areas submerged in Rawalpindi.

RAWALPINDI:

Heavy rains on Sunday morning lashed parts of the twin cities for over three hours, disrupting normal life and submerging low-lying areas.

The situation in Rawalpindi quickly worsened as streets and houses in various localities experienced flooding, which forced the residents to shift their household items to the upper floors of their houses.

A child was washed away in a flood stream near Chakri Road, however, Rescue 1122 divers were able to rescue him in an unconscious state. Another boy, aged 13, who was washed away by a flood stream near Waris Khan Police Station, was also rescued.

The wall of a mud house in Dhoke Syedan collapsed, but no casualty was reported, Rescue official reported.

Houses in Railway colony also got submerged due to incessant rain, while Rawal Road saw the worst of the rain as it was turned into a flood stream, forcing pedestrians and motorists to wade through the one-foot deep rainwater.

“The district administration put Rescue 1122 and other departments on alert and directed them to monitor water level in Nullah Leh and other flood streams which rose to eight feet on Sunday,” said a rescue official.

The administration has directed Rescue 1122 to issue flood warnings if the water level crosses 12 feet.

Roads in both cities wore a deserted look as the relentless rain coupled with a hailstorm and cool breeze caused the people to stay home and forced motorcyclists and pedestrians to take shelter under the sheds of shops and flyovers on the Islamabad Expressway, Murree Road.

“We are ready for any kind of action including evacuating residents of low-lying areas,” said Waqas, a rescue official.

According to the Met office, Islamabad received 63 mm rain at zero point, Saidpur saw 21mm, Golra 22 and Bokra 35, while Shamsabad in Rawalpindi received 51mm and Chaklala 50mm. The rainy spell will continue till Monday morning, with most parts of the twin cities expected to receive more rain.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 16^th, 2013.