RAWALPINDI: Heavy rain lashed the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Saturday, inundating low-lying areas, raising the water level in Leh Nullah besides creating difficulties for sellers and buyers of sacrificial animals.

On the other hand, the Met Office predicted more rains from Eidul Azha till July 12. It predicted chances of flooding in the low-lying areas of Rawalpindi.

The water level in Leh Nullah swelled to 14 feet at Gawalmandi bridge and 15 feet at Kattarian bridge. Due to the heavy rain, Jamia Masjid Road, Committee Chowk underpass on Murree Road, Rawal Road, Tipu Road, Kashmir Road and Adamjee Road were inundated.

Streets and roads in the downtown areas presented the look of pools as knee-deep water was accumulated there. In some areas, rainwater also entered houses and shops.

Water level in Leh Nullah rises to 14 feet at Gawalmandi bridge and 15 feet at Kattarian bridge, says Wasa chief

The Meteorological Department recorded 40 millimetres (mm) ofrainfall at the airport, 56mm at Zero Point, 47mm at Saidpur, 54mm at Golra, 51mm at Bokra 51 in Islamabad and 43mm at Chaklala and 45mm at Shamsabad in Rawalpindi.

Commissioner Noorul Amin Mengal along with Deputy Commissioner Tahir Farooq and Wasa Managing Director Mohammad Tanveer visited Leh Nullah at Gawalmandi bridge and different parts of the city to inspect the situation.

The Wasa chief told Dawn that the water level in Leh Nullah rose to 14 feet at Gawalmandi and 15 feet at Kattarian. He said rainwater accumulated in low-lying areas but the agency managed to drain it out.

He said more rains were expected on Eid days and Wasa was ready to deal with the situation.

Meanwhile, the Met Office said monsoon currents were penetrating in the country and may strengthen during the Eid days.

“Under the influence of this weather system, more rain-wind/thundershower are expected in Islamabad, Kashmir, Swat, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, Kurram, Kohat, Mianwali, Sargodha, Hafizabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, Jhang, Sahiwal, Okara from July 9 to July 12 with occasional gaps.”

It said heavy falls may generate urban flooding in Rawalpindi/Islamabad, Peshawar, Faisalabad, Lahore, Gujranwala and Sialkot on July 9 and July 10.

Flash flooding is also expected in nullahs of Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Kashmir, Bolan, Kalat, Khuzdar and Lasbella.

Rainfall may trigger landslides in Kashmir, Galiyat, Murree, Chillas, Diamir, Gilgit, Hunza, Astore and Skardu.

Travelers and tourists were advised to remain extra cautious during the forecast period.

Furthermore, the district administration has announced to cancel the holidays of all the staff, including assistant commissioners, in view of the expected influx of tourists in Murree and heavy rains.

The deputy commissioner of Rawalpindi directed the district officers of all the provincial departments to be present within the limits of Rawalpindi during the Eid holidays.

APP adds: Rescue 1122 was put on high alert on Saturday morning to cope with any emergency situation.

According to a spokesman for the emergency service, rescuers were deployed in low-lying areas such as Katarian, Gawalmandi and Soan and they would remain on high alert round-the-clock to provide timely response, medical treatment and transportation facilities to possible flood victims.

Rescue 1122 requested people not to stand on the banks of Nullah Leh in low-lying areas during flooding and follow instructions given by the flood control room.

Published in Dawn, July 10th, 2022