A six-day search operation for a young woman swept away by a flash flood in Islamabad’s Defence Housing Authority (DHA) Phase-5 has concluded without success. The 25-year-old daughter of retired Pakistan Army Colonel Ishaq Qazi vanished on July 22nd when their car was overwhelmed by surging floodwaters caused by torrential monsoon rains.
The retired officer and his daughter were attempting to evacuate their home amidst the downpour that inundated sections of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Their vehicle stalled in rising water, and moments later, a powerful surge carried the car and its occupants away.
An extensive search and rescue operation ensued, employing boats, scuba divers, magnetic detection, and ground searches along the Sawan River, extending to the Gorakhpur area. Despite these efforts, the young woman remains missing.
Vehicle parts, including the bumper, side mirror, hood, and a door, were recovered from under the Swan River bridge. The body of 64-year-old Colonel Qazi was later found on the riverbank.
Rescue 1122, police diving teams, and other emergency personnel participated in the operation, which has now been officially called off. The family and community are left grieving the loss and wondering about the young woman’s fate. The incident highlights the risks of flash floods in urban settings, even in developed areas with potential drainage vulnerabilities.