- Administration seeks army’s help to start evacuation of vulnerable areas
- Small nullahs feeding Nullah Leh overflow, many localities inundated, at least 10 houses destroyed
Water flow in Rawalpindi’s Nullah Leh breached the 18 feet limit early on Friday when sirens were sounded and announcements made in the surrounding areas to warn the people to take precautionary measures.
The administration issued an alert and sought the Army’s help besides starting evacuation process in the vulnerable areas around the nullah.
Per details, the heavy rain which started on Wednesday night and continued for 24 hours flooded the nullah that runs through Rawalpindi city. Though the administration cleaned the nullah before the monsoon set in but the continuous rain has caused the water in the nullah to reach danger point.
After the water level crossed the danger point, the nullah water spread in the localities around it. Many other areas were also flooded as the small nullahs that feed Nullah Leh also over-flowed.
The affected people spent their night on guard in case the floodwater led to more damage. They reportedly blamed the local authorities for not draining the small drains thereby resulting in the flooding.
Several affected people said that encroachments along Nulah Leh were the main cause of their houses’ inundation by water. They said that the municipal authorities ignore illegal constructions by taking bribes, adding that the high ups must take serious notice of this to avoid flooding in the future.
Many dilapidated houses were damaged as water entered the low-lying areas.
Areas situated near the nullah, including Arya Mohallah, Gawalmandi, Jinnah Colony, Nadeem Colony, Khayaban-e-Sir Syed and many other areas faced flood-like situation.
Meanwhile, the spillways of Rawal Dam were opened Friday as water in the reservoir reached maximum capacity due to the ongoing heavy downpour.
The released water flowed towards adjacent areas of Islamabad and Rawalpindi causing large scale damage. At least 10 houses were completely destroyed. The Pakistan Army assisted in rescuing at least 70 people from flooded areas.
Rescue teams were despatched to the affected areas on the orders of Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Abdul Sattar.