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RAWALPINDI, Jul 17 (APP):As the water level in Nullah Leh receded Thursday evening after crossing dangerous level earlier in the day, all the operational wings of Rawalpindi administration were still on high alert to cope with any emergency situation in the wake of ongoing spell of torrential rain.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast persistent rainspells till August 31.
Heavy rain poured over the twin cities for more than 18 hours flooding the low-lying areas of the garrison city, prompting the district administration to launch a rescue and evacuation operation in the affected localities since early morning.
The administration sounded sirens to warn residents about the flooding caused by the heavy rain.
The water level in Nullah Leh, which currently measured at around 5 feet, had risen to over 21 feet at Katarian and 20 feet at Gawalmandi around 10 a.m. as per the National Forecasting Centre, Islamabad, inundating the localities on its both sides.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, 253 mm of rain was recorded at Kachhari (Chaklala), 248 mm at Gawalmandi, 235 mm at Katarian, 175 mm at Shamsabad in Rawalpindi, and 157 mm at Saidpur, 184 mm at Golra, 198 mm at Bokra, and 175 mm at PMD in Islamabad.
The district government had clamped an emergency and alerted all its departments concerned to meet with any eventuality following the heavy rainfall.
The deputy commissioner declared a one-day holiday in the Rawalpindi district and asked people to stay at home unless absolutely necessary.
The Pakistan Army troops were also deployed at the sensitive locations along both banks of the Nullah Leh.
All the Allied Hospitals of the city had been put on high alert till further orders to meet with any eventuality in the wake on rainy spells.
The rainwater submerged low-lying areas near Katarian, Javed Colony, Aryan Mohallah, Gawalmandi, Millat Colony, Jamia Masjid Road, Banni, Mohallah Workshpee, Imamabara, Gawala Road, Ratta Amral, Dhoke Ratta, Sadiqabad, Shakrial and Cantonment areas, where the staff of all operational wings of district administration wings remained actively engaged in evacuating the residents to safer places.
Commissioner Engineer Amir Khattak, Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqar Cheema, Rawalpindi Development Authority Director General Kinza Murtaza, WASA Managing Director Saleem Ashraf visited different sections of the Nullah Leh and monitored the water situation.
They also directed officials to ensure close coordination with all departments for effective rescue and relief operations.
According to the Media Coordinator Rescue Rawalpindi, more than 400 Rescue personnel, with 17 boats, remained engaged at different places, and evacuated 58 people trapped in the flash flood. Helicopter was also used for the evacuation process.
He said the Rescue teams conducted operations in Raja Bazar, Sangjani, Ladian Chakri, Blue World Society, Gulshan Iqbal, Dhok Kashmirian, Garibabad and Police Foundation.
All the residents of Ladian were also safely evacuated from the flood torrent hitting their homes, he added.
RWMC teams also remained constantly active in different areas, especially Gawalmandi, Katarian, Dhok Khaba and other sensitive places from drainage.
Meanwhile, Provincial Disaster management Authority Director General said as per the directives of Punjab chief minister, the Authority had provided rescue and relief equipment to the Rawalpindi district administration before the monsoon rains.
The PDMA gave 16 OBM (outboard motor) boats, 205 life jackets, 31 ambulances, 19 fire brigades and four rescue vehicles to Rescue 1122, besides 28 de-watering sets, five suction machines, six jetter machines and sic tractors to WASA.
Similarly, the Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation was also given five de-watering sets, seven mini trucks, three trucks and three generator sets, he added.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Home Department has imposed Section 144 banning all types of swimming and boating in dams, rivers, canals, ponds and lakes across the province.
Section 144, which will remain in force until August 30, has also been imposed to prohibit bathing in rainwater collected in streets, roads, open spaces, or public places.