RAWALPINDI:
The tragic death of a nine-year-old boy who drowned after falling into an uncovered storm drain during the first pre-monsoon rainfall of the season has exposed serious deficiencies in flood preparedness and public safety measures across Rawalpindi.
The victim, Wisal, fell into a rainwater drain approximately 10 feet deep and seven feet wide near Kacha Stop on Khalid Bin Waleed Road in the Westridge-III area where the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad meet.
He was swept away by the fast flowing water during heavy rainfall. Wisal’s funeral was held at his ancestral village in Mohmand Agency, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on Saturday.
According to residents and traders, the drain, which runs for nearly half a kilometer along a busy market, has neither protective railings nor concrete cover.
They claim that motorcyclists and pedestrians often fall into the drain because of the lack of safety barriers, although most escape unharmed when the water level is low. During the heavy downpour, however, the drain was flowing at full capacity, leaving the child with little chance of survival.
The latest incident has also raised concerns about emergency response. According to sources, rescue teams searched a 500-foot stretch of the drain using five-foot bamboo poles and cellphone flashlights, reportedly lacking essential equipment such as high-powered torches, specialized rescue machinery and protective gear.
A survey of the surrounding area by The Express Pakinomist found that several manholes remained uncovered, some measuring up to 20 feet in depth. In addition, officials said none of the city’s 15 seasonal drainage canals had undergone extensive desilting or clearing before the onset of the monsoon.
A senior official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, claimed that rescue agencies had not received sufficient funds, machinery or equipment over the past five years despite repeated requests, and warned that similar tragedies could occur unless urgent improvements were made.
In response to the incident and the impending monsoon season, the Pakistan Army’s 111 Brigade has been put on red alert till 15 August.
An army major will monitor operations from the central flood control room, while military teams equipped with life jackets, heavy-duty lifeboats, ropes and modern rescue equipment will remain on standby.
Army teams are also scheduled to inspect vulnerable spots along the 18-kilometer long Nullah Lai and other seasonal drains next week. Rawalpindi Commissioner Aamir Khattak and Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema will accompany military representatives during the inspection. The Army will continue to monitor identified high-risk locations throughout the flood season.
Meanwhile, five flood relief camps are expected to be set up next week as part of the city’s monsoon preparedness plan.
