Record 427 millimeters of rain, recorded in Chakwal and its suburbs in only 10 hours, led to flooding prompting the district administration to declare a rain emergency, while the death toll in rain-related incidents in the country during the entire monsoon season rose to 149. The flood triggered by the heavy rain caused a breach in a Chakwal dam, which led to mass evacuation of the population residing in nearby areas. Rainwater entered people’s homes, forcing them to spend the night under open skies. 

A man and his son were killed in Khewal area of Chakwal, while a pregnant woman and her child were seriously wounded. In Budhyal area, walls collapsed while the floodwater also washed away cattle. Rain drains Bhanao, Kulhayan, Saroli and others burst their banks, while two vehicles and three people were washed away, following a breach in a dyke in Panwal Dam; two were rescued, while the search for the third one was underway till last reports came in.

According to the spokesman for the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), the rescue operation was underway to shift the stranded people to safe locations.  “In view of an alarming situation, the district administration is in contact with the Pakistan Army,” he said, adding that the operation would continue till the last person was rescued.  He informed that the Rescue 1122, the district administration and the Civil Defence were participating in the operation.

“PDMA DG Irfan Ali Kathia is supervising the operation,” the spokesman said, and appealed to the people to stay in safe places.  On the other hand, heavy showers lashed the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) during the last 24 hours, disrupting routine life in these areas.

The downpour led to a significant rise in the water level in Rawalpindi’s Nullah Lai; it was recorded at 18 feet at both Katarian and Gawalmandi, prompting the administration to sound alarm bells declaring a rain emergency in the city and evacuate the people stranded in these areas.   Heavy machinery has been brought to the low-lying areas to drain out the rainwater.

The highest amount of rainfall in Rawalpindi and Islamabad was recorded in Chaklala (185 millimeters), followed by Gawalmandi (175 mm), Katarian (165 mm) Pir Widhai (158 millimeters), Bokra (157 millimeters), Golra (149 mm), Shamsabad (128 mm), 125 mm at H-8/2 and 120 millimeters at Saidpur. On the other hand, inclement weather forced the district administration to declare a holiday in Rawalpindi.

The deputy commissioner issued a notification in this regard and directed the people to stay indoors. The road connecting Fateh Jang to Rawalpindi was closed following intermittent rainfall since last night. Rain drains and streams burst their banks while the Shahpur Dam was filled with water. Two children drowned in water accumulated near Sultan Park in Muridke.

Rescue 1122 employees fished out their bodies and handed them over to their families. Heavy rain in and around the AJK city of Rawalakot turned the weather chilly at higher elevations while pleasant at lower elevations.  The downpour led to a considerable rise in water levels in streams and nullahs besides the suspension of power supply to some localities.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)