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RAWALPINDI: Eight people, including a woman and four children, died in Rawalpindi and Islamabad after heavy rain lashed the twin cities on Monday, as water rose to dangerous level in Leh Nullah inundating low-lying localities.
In Rawalpindi, three people, including a policeman trying to save a young man from drowning in Leh Nullah, were swept away.
In Islamabad’s suburb roof of a mud house collapsed, killing five wedding guests, including four children, who had come from Azad Kashmir.
Starting early in the morning, the downpour continued till afternoon as Islamabad and Rawalpindi received 129 and 68 millimetres rain respectively.
Meanwhile, as water level in the Leh Nullah reached 18 feet, sirens were sounded. “The flow of water was not only quick but also just two feet below the flood level in Leh,”
Managing Director Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) Chaudhry Naseer Ahmed told Dawn. “But fortunately floodwater faded quickly. The natural drain burst its banks at Katarian Bridge for a short time.”
Many low-lying localities in the city were inundated, with the people struggling to save their valuables from water entering their homes.
In Millat Colony, the nearest residential area to Leh Nullah, several people were forced out as gushing rainwater entered their houses.
“I shifted valuables to the upper portion after rainwater entered my home,” said Sajid Mughal. He added that his neighbours timely helped in saving household items from water.
Divers of armed forces wearing special jackets stood for hours along the vulnerable places near Leh Nullah for rescue purposes.
