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By Ali Imran
ISLAMABAD: At least two people were killed on Wednesday when urban flooding caused by cloudburst wreaked havoc in Islamabad. In a weather update on his official Twitter handle, Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Muhammed Hamza Shafqaat said, “Cloudburst in Islamabad has caused flooding in various areas. Teams are clearing nullahs/roads. Hopefully we will be able to clear everything in two hours.” Later, the DC announced that the Islamabad roads were clear for traffic.
Videos from Islamabad’s sectors E-11 and D-12 show cars floating in gushing waters after heavy rains that lashed the federal capital and Rawalpindi for hours. The twin cities received the highest rains during the current monsoon season. Sources in the Pakistan Meteorological Department said that some areas in Islamabad received up to 330mm of rain in the last few hours.
Pakistan Army troops were deployed in Rawalpindi after the local government sought the military’s help following incessant rains that triggered a high flood in Nullah Lai. Army troops assisted civil administration in rescue and relief efforts. Contingency plans remained in place to meet any flood situation.
Earlier, a spokesperson of the National Disaster and Management Authority said that after heavy rains in Rawalpindi and the danger of possible flooding in Nullah Lai, local administration and emergency services were alerted to deal with any emergencies.
At least two people, including a minor, were killed when water entered homes in Islamabad’s Sector E-11. According to the affected family, four children and their mother drowned when a nearby drain overflowed and water entered their house. They said that the administration rescued three children while one child and the mother died. An uncle of the deceased child stated that water entered their house at around 6am due to which a wall in the backyard fell. “Water accumulated in the basement of the house, drowning five members of the family, including four kids.” He said they started rescue efforts on their own while the administration reached the area after 8:30am. Meanwhile, sources stated that the flood situation in Sector E-11 was created due to the poor performance of the management of a housing society.
