ISLAMABAD: Two persons, mother and her son, were killed in Islamabad on Wednesday as several areas of the capital experienced urban flooding after a cloudburst caused heavy rainfall.
Footage circulating on social media showed flood water sweeping away cars in the E-11 area of the capital.
Deputy Commissioner Islamabad attributed the flash flood with a cloudburst and urged the public to “cooperate and restrict unnecessary movements”.
The deputy commissioner further said the spillways of Rawal Dam were being opened as he appealed to the public to stay away from the riverbanks of Korang and Soan rivers.
Additionally, Section 144 (power to issue order absolute at once in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger) was imposed on bathing in rivers, the DC said, adding that rescue and management teams were present to handle the situation.
Meanwhile, police officials confirmed the aforesaid casualties at a house in sector E11/2, saying that flood water entered the house’s basement at night which caused the death of the child, while the mother passed away later.
The officials said flooding in sector E-11 was due to “poor management” of private housing schemes, adding that there was no equipment available to deal with the situation.
Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid said the army and other local authorities were present in the federal capital to deal with the situation.
“[The] army is alert, WASA (Water and Sanitation Agency) is alert […] the whole administration is on duty,” he said.
He made those remarks in a conversation with media personnel during his visit to Lai Nullah.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner, Islamabad, Muhammed Hamza Shafqaat, confirmed the death of two persons in urban flooiding caused after cloud-burst. A cloudburst in the federal capital has caused flooding, he added.
In a weather update on his official Twitter handle, the deputy commissioner said, “Cloudburst in Islamabad has caused flooding in various areas. Teams are clearing nullahs/roads. Hopefully we will be able to clear everything in an hour”.
Later, the DC announced that the Islamabad roads were clear for traffic.
Videos from Islamabad’s sectors E-11 and D-12 show cars floating in gushing waters after heavy rains that lashed the federal capital and Rawalpindi for hours.
According to details, the twin cities received the highest rains during the current monsoon season.
Sources in Pakistan Meteorological Department said that some areas in Islamabad received up to 330mm of rain in the last few hours.
Read more: Alert issued as torrential rains wreak havoc in parts of country
