Rawalpindi: Rain inundates low-lying areas

[Naveed Yaseen]

RAWALPINDI: Rain lashed the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Monday. Many low-lying areas were inundated, which created trouble for the residents and shoppers in cattle markets in buying sacrificial animals. The power outages further added to the problems of the residents. The rain in winter always becomes a nightmare for residents of the city, as it creates pools and puddles on streets and roads causing troubles for motorists and pedestrians. On Monday rain created many problems for people visiting various markets of the city to shop for Eidul Azha falling today (Tuesday). The Meteorological Department recorded 10 millimeter (mm) of rainfall in Islamabad and Rawalpindi and forecast overcast and heavy rain during next 24 hours. The intermittent rain brought mercury down to 9 Celsius. Frequent and prolonged power outages and low pressure of natural gas also disturbed the routine life. The power outages also hit the business community. A large number of sacrificial animals traders had arrived in Rawalpindi hoping a good business on Eid but the rain damped their trade, as people avoided muddy cattle markets. The Rawal Town, Potohar Towns, Chaklala and Rawalpindi Cantonment Boards had designated 10 traditional spots for sacrificial animal markets. These sites were located at Sadiqabad, Dingi Kohi, Ghazni Road, Sunday Bazaar Committee Chowk, Railway Road near Poriyanwala Pul, Adiala Road, Bakra Mandi, Chur Chowk, Pirwadhai Mor and Chaklala Scheme-II. Some traders had brought their animals to the city streets to attract buyers. This year prices of animals were high as compared to the past years. A cow of an average size was being sold at Rs 25,000 and a goat at Rs 13,000. Animals from Faisalabad and Kasoor were attracting the visitors at the cattle markets. Red cows were more in demand than other species. Animals from Attock and Gujar Khan were comparatively healthy, but their rates were high than animals from interior Punjab.

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