Rain plays havoc with Rawalpindi residents

14 Jul, 2006

Overnight torrential rain played havoc with residents of Rawalpindi as the rainwater submerged all low-lying areas of the city and markets. Heavy rain at about 12:30 midnight between Wednesday and Thursday caused panic among people living on both sides of Nullah Lai.
Residents of Fauji colony, Ratta Amral, Gunjmandi, Mohanpura, Gowalmandi, Arya Mohallah, Dhok Charga-Din and adjacent low-lying areas of Chaklala after torrential rains came out of their houses and rushed toward emergency flood relief camps set up by the district government in various schools. But the units were closed and no one from the government side was present to console people. They spent the night under open sky. All tall claims made by the city district government regarding flood relief measures proved false.
Rainwater also submerged the Murree road while recently constructed Committee chowk underpass was filled with 5 feet of water, which damaged the road and walls of the underpass. Motors were used to pump out water to ensure smooth flow of traffic after 12 hours of hectic efforts. The rain has exposed construction standards of the underpass. Rain also wiped out the newly constructed wall of the historical Liaquat Bagh, being renovated at a cost of Rs 50 million. Rainwater entered shops and caused millions of rupees loss to businessmen in Gunjmandi, City Saddar road, Gowalmandi and Waris Khan.

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