Two children drown in Islamabad’s Ghori Town drain amid heavy rain

ISLAMABAD: At leas two children drowned in a drain in Islamabad’s Ghori Town amid heavy monsoon rains, with rescuers recovering the body of one child while a search operation for the second remained under way on Sunday.

According to Capital Emergency Services, the incident occurred on Saturday evening when the two children fell into the drain in Ghori Town.

Rescue teams were immediately dispatched to the site after receiving information about the incident and launched an operation to locate the children.

The body of one child was subsequently recovered from the drain, but rescuers could not immediately locate the second child, rescuers said.

A search operation for the missing child was under way, with rescue personnel using available resources to trace and recover the child.

The incident occurred as intermittent heavy monsoon rain continued across Islamabad and Rawalpindi, causing water accumulation in several low-lying areas and putting additional pressure on the cities’ drainage systems.

Heavy rain continued intermittently across the twin cities from Saturday night into Sunday, disrupting traffic, inundating roads and low-lying areas and causing rainwater to enter several houses.

In Islamabad, underpasses in G-6 were inundated following the late-night downpour, while roads and streets in Chatta Bakhtawar were submerged in rainwater.

Residents in parts of Chatta Bakhtawar reported that rainwater entered their homes. Several houses in Sector C of the PWD area were also affected by water accumulation.

In Rawalpindi, water accumulated on Jamia Masjid Road and Imambara Road, affecting traffic movement and prompting authorities to deploy teams and machinery to deal with the situation.

Nullah Lai water level rises

The water level in Nullah Lai reached 19 feet at Katarian, prompting authorities to issue an alert for residential areas located along and near the waterway.

A rain emergency was declared in Rawalpindi, with Water and Sanitation Agency teams and heavy machinery deployed at vulnerable locations to deal with water accumulation and the threat of flooding.

Authorities continued monitoring the situation, warning that further rainfall could lead to a further rise in the water level of Nullah Lai.

In Islamabad, the district administration said it was continuously monitoring the situation, while drainage and dewatering operations had been under way across the city since late Saturday night.

Dewatering pumps were deployed in affected areas to remove accumulated rainwater, while assistant commissioners visited low-lying areas and nullahs to assess the situation and oversee drainage arrangements.

The administration also coordinated with Islamabad Traffic Police to manage traffic on major roads affected by water accumulation.

Officials said preparations had been made ahead of the monsoon season, including the cleaning of nullahs and action against encroachments in vulnerable areas.

A control room has also been established to respond to complaints about water accumulation, while field teams and heavy machinery remained deployed in vulnerable locations.

Citizens, particularly those living in low-lying areas and near nullahs, were advised to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel during heavy rainfall.

Rainfall recorded across Rawalpindi

The rainfall added to pressure on the drainage systems of both cities.

Saidpur recorded the highest rainfall in Rawalpindi at 85 millimetres, followed by Golra with 75mm, Shamsabad 65mm, Pirwadhai 64mm, Gawalmandi 62mm and Bokra 50mm.

Authorities remained on alert particularly in areas vulnerable to urban flooding and near drains and waterways.