Islamabad, Pindi at risk of urban flooding with over 40 deaths in Punjab amid heavy rains

RAWALPINDI, LAHORE: Torrential showers continued to batter Islamabad and adjoining Rawalpindi overnight, with 199 millimetres of rain raising fears of urban flooding, prompting the administration to seek army’s help in the twin cities.

As per a Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) spokesperson, the authority’s managing director has reached out to the Pakistan Army’s 111 Brigade as it has been decided to call in the army in case of an emergency.

With the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecasting more downpour, sirens have been sounded in areas surrounding Nullah Leh as the water level has risen by 16 feet.

Wasa has said that a rain emergency has been imposed and its teams and heavy machinery have been deployed in low-lying areas of Rawalpindi with personnel busy in drainage efforts to address accumulated water.

“Nullah Leh and drains across the city are being continuously monitored,” said Wasa MD, adding that the water level at Katarian was 18 feet and 17 feet at Gowalmandi Bridge.

Meanwhile, Rescue 1122 has also been put on high alert, with its district administration officer advising people to safe places before urban flooding and to evacuate dilapidated buildings.

So far, Saidpur has received 53mm of rain, 77mm in Golra, 95mm in Bokra, 67mm in Shamsabad, 105mm in Kachehri, 90mm in Pirwadhai and Gowalmandi and 80mm in Katarian.

Cloudburst in Chakwal

Apart from the twin cities, various areas across Punjab continue to be battered by heavy rains. A cloud burst was witnessed in Chakwal, causing as much as 423mm of rain.

Several low-lying areas have been inundated with water, entering the houses. The district administration has said that a rescue operation was underway to move citizens to safer places.

As per the additional deputy commissioner, the dire situation is a result of a cloudburst.

“Civil administration is working to rescue citizens,” said Bilal Bin Hafeez.

Separately, continuous rain overnight has caused flooding in rivers and canals in Jhelum with the district administration calling in the army and a helicopter to rescue those trapped in flood water — which has entered surrounding areas.

Rescue teams are facing difficulties due to high water levels.

Also, Sheikhupura and the surrounding areas have also been battered by heavy rains measuring up to 217mm.

Speaking on the heavy rains and situation across Punjab, Secretary Emergency Services Dr Rizwan said that more than 400mm of downpour was recorded in Chakwal and therefore, managing the situation was challenging.

“Climate change is a big challenge all over the world,” he said while speaking on Geo News‘ programme “Geo Pakistan”.

“So far, the roofs of about 310 houses have collapsed in Punjab during the monsoon season and 15 traffic accidents have occurred due to rain [in the province].

“Around 90 deaths have occurred in various accidents across Punjab since June 16,” Dr Rizwan revealed.

With the rescue department’s statistics showing at least 43 deaths in various rain-related incidents across Punjab since yesterday, the Rawalpindi deputy commissioner has announced a one-day holiday in the district.

“The public is asked to stay at home and not to leave their homes unnecessarily,” read a statement issued by the DC office on X.

On the overall situation in the province, a rescue spokesperson said at least 130 incidents of roof and wall collapses reported across Punjab.

Out of the total 43 fatalities, 16 occurred in Lahore, five in Sheikhupura, four each in Okara and Pakpatan and two in Chakwal.

Nine people died in Faisalabad, one each in Mandi Bahauddin, Nankana and Sahiwal.

Apart from Punjab, Balochistan is also reeling from torrential rains, with Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Director General Jahanzeb Khan Jahanzaib Khan Ghorezai saying that 16 people have died and six have been injured in various rain-related incidents recently.

 “11 houses completely destroyed in Balochistan due to rain, 47 suffer partial damage,” he said while speaking on “Geo Pakistan”.

He added that monsoon rains are likely to continue till the beginning of September.