Heavy rainfall, causing havoc in the twin cities on Wednesday, led to the tragic loss of 11 lives while injuring five others. Several neighborhoods were left submerged, with main roads turning into rivers, as nature unleashed its fury.
As the rain continued to pound the city, a sudden wall collapse in the early morning hours buried unsuspecting laborers under debris. A group of them, hailing from various regions in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and Punjab, were sleeping in a tent next to the ill-fated wall. The rainfall had weakened the wall’s structure, ultimately leading to the disaster.
The victims were identified as Muhammad Shoaib, Zahid, Karim, Noor Muhammad, Kaleemullah, Jalal Deen, Akbarzada, Israfel, Nauman, Muhammad Khalid, Yasin, Farooq, Muhammad Shakeel, Inayat, Rehman, and Mualim Khan.
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) Rescue teams, alongside other relief agencies, are partaking in the rescue operations. The unfortunate incident has been registered at a local Islamabad police station, and an investigation is underway.
As the city continues to grapple with the aftermath of the rainstorm, many areas have recorded an estimated 200mm of rain. Meanwhile, the city is on high alert as Nullah Leh, the main seasonal stream of the twin cities, teeters on the brink of flooding.
Immediate Response and Necessary Measures
In response to the heavy rainfall and ensuing chaos in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi swiftly directed necessary orders to Rescue 1122, the Pakistan Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), and the administrative authorities.
Noting the urgency of the situation, Naqvi called for immediate drainage of water in the low-lying regions of Rawalpindi. “The administration and related institutions should immediately use all resources for drainage in the low-lying areas,” Naqvi emphasized.
He urged the administration and related entities to take emergency measures for rainwater drainage, advising them to remain in the field until the task is complete. Aware of the flood threats looming over the rivers, he stressed the necessity for all precautionary measures.
Additionally, Naqvi ordered the relevant authorities to keep a vigilant eye on the situation of Nullah Leh. He asked them to report back to the Chief Minister’s office as soon as the drainage work is completed. This would ensure both timely action and proper monitoring of the drainage operations, ultimately alleviating the dire conditions brought on by the heavy rains.
