Rawalpindi:
The torrential rains have unleashed severe floods in the vicinity of the Dadhocha dam under construction, located about 25 kilometers from Rawalpindi, causing generalized destruction in several villages.
The rising waters submerged the villages of Bharwala, Mohra Faizullah and Khanpur, where several feet of water entered houses, destroying belongings worth millions of rupees.
The situation led hundreds of residents to protest when blocking the busy Rawat-Kallar Syedan Road near the Sardar market, taking into account traffic.
District administration officials quickly arrived at the scene when protesters demanded that their settlements be declared a model village and that market value compensation is provided together with alternative lands for relocation.
A court has also noticed the situation, issuing a suspension order and demanding a report from the District Administration. In response to floods, the commissioner Hassan Wasan Waqar Cheema deployed 1122 rescue equipment to the affected areas to help residents and avoid additional damage.
According to him, the authorities are closely monitoring the situation, and a small controlled violation has been made to release water for 24 hours, reducing the immediate threat of a larger flood.
He assured the public that no human, animal or material loss would be allowed.
Dadhocha Dam, considered a crucial project to address Rawalpindi’s growing water crisis, has seen years of delays.
Although initially it was proposed in 2001, the construction did not begin until 2012 due to financing limitations and bureaucratic obstacles.
