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Water level at Leh touches danger mark:

Rain washes up govt claims of anti-flood preparation

By Aamir Yasin

RAWALPINDI: Heavy rain on Saturday lashed Rawalpindi and Islamabad, taking water level at Leh Nullah up to 18 feet danger mark and breeding flood fears among the residents.

District administration, Civil Defence Department and Rescue 1122 remained alarmed and 111 Brigade was called in to cope with any emergency.

The Meteorological Department recorded 172mm rain in Islamabad and 167mm in Rawalpindi besides forecasting more rains in the twin cities in the next three-five days.

The rain exposed City District Government’s claims of preparedness for floods in three hours – from 8am to 11am. The mercury came down to 27 Celsius.

Roads, especially those recently built, were damaged badly besides some buildings in the downtown. A pedestrian’s bridge over Leh Nullah connecting Liaquat Park with Gowalmandi was partially broken.

Nadeem Colony, Javed Colony, Muslim Colony, Dhoke Ratta, Ganjmandi, Jamia Masjid Road, Bani Chowk, Sadiqabad, Satellite Town, Commercial Market, College Road, Bohar Bazaar, Naya Mohallah, Iqbal Road, Purana Qila, Raja Bazaar, Kohati Bazaar, Mochi Bazaar, Mohanpura, Nanakpura, Arjan Nagar, Amarpura, Service Road along Murree Road, Kyhaban-e-Sir Syed, Chemist Market, Moti Bazaar, 7th Road and adjoining areas went under water by two-three feet.

Shopkeepers in these areas spent a good deal of time pumping rainwater out of their shops.

The city district nazim told Daily Times the City District Government, the Civil Defence Department, Rescue 1122 and relevant departments had made arrangements to deal with a flood-like situation.

He said four emergency centres and one control room had been set up and all government departments would co-ordinate between themselves.

He said the City District Government had cleaned main nullahs and drains to make water flow smooth. He said some trouble was created when water level at Leh Nullah went up to 18 feet. He said dredging of Leh Nullah would take some more time.

Hospitals on high alert: Allied Hospitals were put on high alert, following a heavy rain that lashed the twin cities for three hours on Saturday.

Dr Khalid Iqbal, the District Headquarters Hospital medical superintendent (MS), told Daily Times that the hospital was ready for any emergency.

He said anti-snake bite vaccine and anti-biotic medicines had been stored in plenty. He said there was a fear of spread of diseases like gastroenteritis and cholera because of monsoon rains.

He said two ambulances and drivers would be available day and night. Dr Fayyaz, the Rawalpindi General Hospital acting MS, said a ward had been spared for rains victims.

Water rises at Rawal Dam: The water level in Rawal Dam soared to a dangerous height due to heavy rain that put the authorities in twin cities on high alert.

According to dam officials, the water level in Rawal Dam touched the mark of 1750 feet. They said they would have to open spillways if more rains came. They said they were prepared to tackle any situation.

Business halted: Rain on Saturday affected commercial activity as main shopping malls remained closed till the sky got cleared as people preferred to stay home. Badly affected commercial areas included Moti Bazaar, Bohar Bazaar, Purana Qila, Dingi Khoi, Sabzi Mandi, Narankari Bazaar, Commercial Market, Tench Bhatta and Chotta Bazaar Saddar. The rainwater submerged some markets, reportedly.

MNA visits Leh Nullah: Haji Pervaiz Khan, a PML-N MNA-elect, on Saturday visited Leh Nullah where the water level touched 18 feet danger mark after heavy rain, panicking the people living around it.

Pervaiz also visited the office of Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) to inspect how effectively the flood warning system was working. RDA DG Makeen Shahbaz welcomed the MNA-elect and briefed him on the ongoing development projects.

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