July 6, 2022
ISLAMABAD – Several areas in the twin cities were flooded — with at least one child dead — as monsoon rains lashed Islamabad and Rawalpindi on Tuesday, with television footage showing vehicles submerged in rainwater in some places.
The child’s death occurred due to drowning, in the Leh Nullah in Rawalpindi’s Hazara Colony area, a spokesperson for Rescue 1122 told Dawn.com. The spokesperson said two friends had dared each other to jump in the Nullah, following which one of them drowned. A search operation was ongoing to recover the child’s body, he added.
Meanwhile, four children who had fallen into the capital’s Korang Nullah while playing were rescued safely, Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Irfan Nawaz Memon said. He appealed to people to stay away from drains during the rainy season.
Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) data showed 39mm of rain had fallen around the Leh Nullah in Pindi, 55mm in Saidpur village, 54mm in Golra, 36mm in Chaklala and 11mm in Shamsabad till the filing of this report.
Meanwhile, the managing director of Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa), Tanveer Ahmed, said 60mm of rainfall was recorded in the twin cities, adding that water levels had risen to 12 feet in the area around Leh Nullah in Pindi’s Katarian and nine feet in Gawalmandi.
The capital’s low-lying sector H-13 as well as homes in Pindi’s Sadiqabad, Shamsabad, Dhok Kala Khan and Awan Colony were flooded, while rainwater also accumulated on the garrison city’s Jamia Masjid Road and Murree Road.
As much as five feet of rainwater had accumulated in Sadiqabad.
Residents in another area, New Lalazar, climbed to their rooftops as rainwater started entering homes and vehicles were submerged.
A vehicle is submerged in rainwater in Pindi’s Lalazar. — Photo provided by author.
A spokesperson for Wasa said Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Tahir Farooq and MD Wasa visited the Leh Nullah to ascertain the situation.
The spokesperson said the water level had risen to 12 feet at Gawalmandi bridge. However, the water level was not expected to rise further because rain had stopped on Leh Nullah’s catchment area, he added.
“We are keeping a close eye on the situation and all institutions have been put on alert,” the deputy commissioner said.
Roads flooded as rain lashes Karachi for second day
Meanwhile, heavy to moderate rain lashed Karachi for a second day on Tuesday flooding roads and neighbourhoods in various parts of the metropolis.
Rainfall was reported in Landhi, Korangi, Malir, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Clifton, Baldia Town, SITE area, Johar Town, Hub, Gadap Town, Bahria Town, Nazimabad and Surjani Town.
Karachi traffic police said water had accumulated at Submarine Chowk, Manghopir Road, Sharea Faisal, MA Jinnah Road, University Road and I.I. Chundrigar Road.
Separately, Karachi Administrator Murtaza Wahab said that it was “heavily raining” in the city but the situation was under control.
“The situation is so far under control and the nullahs have responded well. Will request people to avoid unnecessary movement so traffic issue remains under control. Relief work will start as soon as the rain stops,” he said.
Its raining heavily in Karachi right now. The situation is so far under control & the Naalaas have responded well. Will request people to avoid unnecessary movement so traffic issue remains under control. Relief work will start as soon as the rain stops. Will keep u all posted
— Murtaza Wahab Siddiqui (@murtazawahab1) July 5, 2022
Emergency declared in Quetta district
Meanwhile, Balochistan’s Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) declared an emergency in Quetta district due to heavy monsoon rainfall.
PDMA Director General Naseer Ahmed Nasir said nine people were killed in the past two days due to roofs collapsing and other incidents.
He said over 300 houses were affected due to the rain in most districts of Balochistan.
“Relief operation of PDMA has been ongoing since last night,” he said.
According to the meteorological department, Quetta received 42mm of rain, Lasbela 35mm, Mastung 21mm, Thal 19mm, Ziarat 17mm, Kalat 12mm, Pishin 10mm, Muslim Bagh and Ormara 7mm each.
Weather forecast
The Pakistan Meteorological Department said in a statement that monsoon currents were entering the country and might continue for the next 24 to 48 hours.
The monsoon currents were likely to strengthen over the weekend, it added. The PMD predicted rain, along with thunder, in the capital, Kashmir, Swat, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, Rawalpindi, Murree, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Sargodha, Hafizabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Mianwali, Bhakkar, Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh and Okara from July 5 (today) to the morning of July 7.
“Heavy falls are also expected in Kashmir, Peshawar, Mardan, Kurram, Dir, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Islamabad, Potohar region, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Hafizabad, Lahore, Faisalabad and Sargodha,” it said.
Furthermore, rain, accompanied by heavy winds and thunder, was forecasted for Zhob, Ziarat, Barkhan, Loralai, Kohlu, Quetta, Kalat, Khuzdar, Lasbella, Naseerabad, Sibbi, Panjgur, Turbat, Pasni, Gwadar, Ormara, Kech, Awaran, Kharan, Mirpurkhas, Dadu, Karachi, Thatta and Badin from July 5 to 7.
The Met department warned that the heavy rain could cause urban flooding in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Faisalabad, Lahore, Gujranwala and Sialkot on July 5 and 6.
Moreover, drains in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Kashmir, Khuzdar, Lasbela, Naseerabad, Gwadar, Awaran, Barkhan, Bolan and Kohlu could experience flash floods during the forecast period.
Rainfall may trigger landslides in Kashmir, Galiyat, Murree, Chillas, Diamir, Gilgit, Hunza, Astore and Skardu, the PMD said in the statement.