Rawalpindi:Torrential rain lashed Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Tuesday, disrupting routine life, flooding residential and commercial areas and leaving one person dead after he was electrocuted while trying to remove a UPS wire from his flooded house.
The rain continued for more than two and a half hours, with more than 200 millimetres recorded in parts of the twin cities. The intense downpour caused widespread urban flooding, with two to five feet of water entering homes, shops and warehouses in several areas of Rawalpindi city and cantonment, causing heavy financial losses to residents and traders.
Several vehicles and loaders were swept away by floodwater near the Ganjmandi and Kashmiri Bazaar bridges over Nullah Leh. Lower floors of buildings along the watercourse were also inundated.
The water level in Nullah Leh rose to more than 27 feet at Katarian and over 23 feet at Gawalmandi, prompting authorities to sound warning sirens and direct residents of nearby communities to move to safer locations.
A rain emergency was declared following heavy rainfall in the catchment areas of Nullah Leh. Rescue and civic agencies were placed on alert as authorities monitored the situation and worked to evacuate residents from vulnerable areas.
The downpour brought traffic in Rawalpindi to a virtual standstill, with up to two feet of water accumulating on major roads, including Murree Road. Floodwater entered vehicles and submerged several key routes, while Kiani Bazaar was also inundated.
Power supply remained suspended for prolonged periods in many parts of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, while internet services were also disrupted, adding to the difficulties faced by residents.
Several localities experienced flooding, including Sadiqabad, Dhok Kala Khan, Dhok Khaba, Arya Mohalla, Javed Colony, Pirodhai, Dhok Ratta, Dhok New, Khayaban-i-Sir Syed and New Katarian. Areas around Islamabad Expressway, Khanna East, Khanna Dak, Ghauri Town, Burma and Taramri also reported significant water accumulation, with residents using their own resources to drain water from their homes.
In Arya Mohalla, three to four feet of water reportedly entered the house of Sohail Qaiser and he died of electrocution while attempting to remove a UPS wire from the flooded premises.In view of the severity of the rainfall and the risk of flooding, Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi announced a local holiday for all educational institutions in the district.
