ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed the relevant agencies including National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to be on high alert with rapid emergency response actions due to heavy monsoon rains.
In a tweet on Wednesday, the prime minister also asked the people to stay alert and take special care after heavy rains caused urban flooding in Islamabad and killed six people.
With the heavy monsoon rains I want to alert and caution our citizens to take special care. I have also directed all the relevant reponse agencies including NDMA to be on high alert with ready & rapid emergency response actions.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) July 28, 2021
The heavy rains have wreaked havoc in the twin cities as authorities sought the military’s assistance in rescue efforts. Pakistan Army troops started relief and rescue efforts to assist the civil administration. Heavy rains have caused water levels to rise in Nullah Lai in Rawalpindi and water accumulation in E-11 sector of Islamabad.
Spokesman PMD Dr Zaheer Babar said that various parts of Islamabad received record-breaking rains, including Saidpur village and Golra Sharif, which received 128mm and 106mm rain respectively during the last 24 hours.
He said heavy rains would generate flash flooding in local nullahs of Hazara, including areas such as Shangla, Buner, Batgram, Mansehra, Balakot and Abbottabad.
Various cities including Swat, Kohistan, Mardan, Charsadda, Kohat, Kashmir, Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Sialkot, Narowal and DG Khan would also receive heavy rainfall during the next 24 hours, the PMD spokesman said.
These heavy rains would cause urban flooding in Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Faisalabad and Peshawar during the period. He added at all concerned authorities are particularly advised to remain “alert” during the forecast period.
