A six-year-old boy lost his life on Monday after being swept away in a rain-fed nullah near Girja Road, marking another tragic incident involving a child drowned in Rawalpindi.

Rescue officials confirmed that the incident occurred in the Malik Colony area during the recent spell of rain. The victim was reportedly playing near the water channel when the strong current dragged him into the drain. Local residents alerted emergency services immediately, but the force of the water hampered initial recovery efforts.

The dangers of the Girja Road nullah

Urban flooding and open drainage systems remain a lethal threat across Rawalpindi, particularly during the monsoon season. The incident involving a child drowned in Rawalpindi highlights the lack of protective barriers and safety infrastructure around these high-risk nullahs. In many neighborhoods like Malik Colony, these drains overflow rapidly during heavy rainfall, turning residential streets into dangerous currents.

  • Keep children away from drainage areas during rain.
  • Report uncovered manholes to the Rawalpindi Waste Management Company (RWMC).
  • Avoid walking near nullah banks, as the soil often becomes unstable when saturated.

Safety steps for families in Rawalpindi

If you live in an area prone to urban flooding, you must prioritize household safety. It is essential to ensure that your children are kept indoors during heavy downpours. If you notice a child playing near a nullah, intervene immediately or notify local elders.

Rescue teams, including Rescue 1122, often struggle to reach victims in these narrow, congested neighborhoods during peak flooding. Being aware of your surroundings is the only real defense when municipal infrastructure fails to prevent such tragedies.

What to watch next

Authorities are expected to conduct a review of the drainage cleaning operations in the Girja Road vicinity. Residents are calling for the installation of permanent iron grills or concrete barriers along the nullah to prevent further loss of life.

Local government officials have not yet released a formal statement regarding the specific failure of safety measures at this site. Expect further updates on whether the district administration will initiate an inquiry into the maintenance of these open drains.