WSSC steps up dewatering after heavy rain in Dera Ismail Khan

Heavy rain that lashed Dera Ismail Khan in the early hours of Friday prompted the Water and Sanitation Services Company (WSSC) to intensify dewatering and drainage operations across the city, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported.

Field teams remained active at various locations to remove accumulated rainwater and ensure smooth drainage, according to APP. Water supply staff used motor pumps to drain water from affected areas. The sanitation and clearance work continued through the day, the state news agency said, though it did not report any casualties or major damage.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) warned that heavy rains may trigger flash floods in northern areas through September 30, Business Recorder reported. The warning covers mountainous districts where sudden downpours can quickly swell nullahs and rivers, including parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir. Business Recorder did not give further details on the specific districts covered by the advisory.

Dera Ismail Khan, in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is vulnerable to urban flooding during heavy rain spells. WSSC Dera Ismail Khan manages water supply, sewerage and sanitation services in the city. The company's field staff were deployed as soon as the rain began, APP said, and remained on the ground to clear blocked drains and pump out standing water. APP did not say how many locations were affected or how many staff were involved.

In a separate development, APP reported that Syed Muhammad Arslan, a PMS officer in BS-18, assumed charge as chief executive officer of WSSC Dera Ismail Khan on Wednesday. The new CEO took over two days before the latest rain event.

No official statement was immediately available from the district administration about the extent of flooding or any rescue or relief operations. The NDMA advisory remains in effect for the coming days. Heavy rain in the region often overwhelms drainage systems, and the current spell is expected to continue in parts of the north.