RAWALPINDI: A bright and sunny Friday brought some relief to residents living along Leh Nullah, whose homes were inundated when major drains and the Soan River swelled following torrential monsoon rains, causing urban flooding.
Low-lying areas including Nadeem Colony, Javed Colony, Dhoke Chiraghdin, Dhoke Ellahi Bukhsh, Chamanzar Colony, Hazara Colony, Ziaul Haq Colony and adjoining areas were submerged in floodwaters on Thursday night.
Normal activity resumed in many parts of the city after the rainy day. Markets and shops reopened, and residents returned to their daily routines.
People thronged marketplaces and public spaces. Shops in Moti Bazaar, College Road, Jamia Masjid and nearby areas resumed business despite the usual Friday closure observed by the business community.
Public transport was running at full capacity on Friday, and the city roads experienced heavy traffic, indicating a gradual return to normal life.
Moreover, residents of the low-lying areas took advantage of the sunny weather to dry out their belongings and advance the cleanup process. Early in the morning, they began sorting through their homes, which had been damaged by mud and water.
During visits to the affected areas, many people were seen washing and cleaning damaged household items, including furniture, carpets, rugs and mattresses. Some areas, such as Nadeem Colony and Dhoke Ellahi Bukhsh, still had three to four inches of mud covering the streets.
Meanwhile, the district administration and Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) spent another busy day restoring order. Although the water level had risen in Leh Nullah and other drains, most residential areas remained safe due to the precautionary measures and timely cleaning operations carried out by Wasa and the district administration.
Roads across the city, particularly Murree Road, Rawal Road, Airport Road, Raja Bazaar and the downtown area, remained clean. There was no waterlogging reported on Friday as the affected areas had been cleared.
Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema told Dawn that although the intensity of the rain was high, the situation was managed efficiently due to a flood emergency plan prepared in February.
“In the past five months, we completed the GPO underpass and Nawaz Sharif Flyover ahead of the heavy monsoon spell, ensuring there were no blockages on the roads,” he said.
“We have started assessing the losses to structures and farms in villages. Assistant commissioners have been asked to submit their reports within three to four days so we can send a comprehensive report to the Punjab government,” he added.
He said Wasa had drained out the water, and RWMC had cleared all main roads and streets of rainwater. He added that workers were deployed on Friday morning to clean the city and remove solid and construction waste.
The deputy commissioner also said that the district administration rescued 84 people using a helicopter, two water rescue vehicles and 12 ambulances. The rescued individuals were shifted to a flood relief camp where they were provided with food and shelter.
Published in Dawn, July 19th, 2025
