Heavy rainfall inundates low-lying areas in Rawalpindi

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Army has launched rescue operations in the areas along Lai Nullah as the torrential rains lashed various low-lying localities of the city, ARY News reported on Thursday.

The residents of Dhok Kala Khan were the most affected as water entered their houses and damaged their household items due to poor drainage system in the locality.

The downpour has caused rise in Rawalpindi’s Lai Nullah water level up to 18 feet.

The authorities had already issued a red alert to warn the public of possible flooding in areas along the Lai Nullah. Cancelling the holidays of Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) officials, the authorities have set off alarm bells.

According to Met Office, Islamabad has so far received 91 millimeter rain while Rawalpindi received 77 millimeter since early this morning.

The ongoing spell has spread almost all over Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa, South Punjab, Zhob and Qalat divisions of Balochistan, besides Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

On the flip side, the rains have inundated low lying areas and flooded streams and nullahs in different parts of the country.

The provincial disaster management authority has rung the alarm bell and warned Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government of the threat of possible flooding in Malakand and Hazara Divisions

The rains can cause flash floods and land sliding in these areas. The administration of the concerned districts has been directed to take all precautionary measures to protect life and property of general public.

Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has said that the current wet spell will continue to persist in the country till Thursday.