ISLAMABAD: The deputy commissioner has banned swimming in nullahs and dams after three people drowned in a nullah in Koral, one of whom was rescued by onlookers.

Three workers at a fumigation company went swimming in the Soan Nullah in the Bhumber Tarrar area. One of them waded into deep water and began to drown. His two colleagues tried to rescue him, but they also lost control.

Their shouts for help caught the attention of labourers working at an under-construction house nearby, police said.

The labourers managed to rescue one of the swimmers, but the two others drowned to death.

Police and rescue officials were informed, and they retrieved the bodies from the nullah and took them to a hospital.

Koral Station House Officer Saifullah Khan told Dawn that the deceased were identified as Irfan and Yaqoob.

One was a native of Kashmir and the other was from Faisalabad.

Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat has banned swimming and bathing in nullahs and dams in light of incidents of drowning in the capital, officials said.

Action will be taken against violators, they added, including the registration of a case.

According to the notification issued by the deputy commissioner’s office, it has been brought to notice that people have been swimming in Rawal Dam, Simly Dam, Korang Nullah and other nullahs in the capital. This is dangerous and incidents have also been reported in this regard.

The ban has been imposed for two months, with immediate effect.

Published in Dawn, July 4th, 2019