Selfies at Gawalmandi, Silence in the Flooded Streets

As the pre-monsoon rains triggered severe urban flooding across Rawalpindi, the district administration once again turned to Gawalmandi Bridge as its go-to site for flood monitoring — a location that has unofficially become a symbolic “photo-op point”, rather than a true center of assessment.

Despite torrential rains on Wednesday that left 70% of the city’s Cantonment areas and key commercial centers such as Raja Bazaar, Moti Bazaar, and surrounding localities submerged under 2 to 3 feet of water, no senior government officials visited the flood-hit neighborhoods.

Instead, senior figures including the commissioner, deputy commissioner, Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) DG, and WASA MD, made brief appearances at Gawalmandi Bridge after the rain had ceased, posed for photos, gave short media statements on drainage efforts, and promptly left.

This 22-kilometre Nullah Leh and its 15 stormwater tributaries are critical flood channels in Rawalpindi. Yet, Gawalmandi Bridge, situated at a secure height with easy access, has become the administration’s preferred viewing platform — even as more severely affected zones are overlooked.

Before each high-profile visit, the bridge is cleaned and repainted, and traffic is halted nearby to accommodate the photo-op. Unlike other bridges over Nullah Leh that are closer to hard-hit communities, Gawalmandi is favored because it avoids direct contact with angry or distressed residents.

Sources reveal that throughout the monsoon season, all visiting federal and provincial ministers, members of parliament, and department heads will also be brought exclusively to this same location for briefings and media coverage. Even a potential visit by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz is expected to follow this protocol.

The practice has drawn sharp criticism from local civic and legal organisations. Citizen Action Committee Chairman Malik Zaheer Awan denounced the symbolic nature of these visits, urging officials to go to actual flood-affected areas and demanding immediate relief of Rs100,000 per victim.

District Bar Association President Sardar Manzar Bashir also voiced disapproval, calling the Gawalmandi inspections “inadequate and disconnected from the ground realities.” He stressed that public officials must witness the devastation firsthand to understand its scale and respond effectively.

The Citizen Action Committee has warned that if the administration continues to engage in what it calls “selfie drama” rather than meaningful flood relief, a mass protest will be held at Gawalmandi Bridge in the coming days.