Footprints: Trudging home in waist-deep water

In the wake of devastating floods, residents like Aslam are making difficult journeys back to their submerged homes in Pakistan's Rahim Colony to salvage what they can. The village, inundated after the Bhed Nullah breached its banks, has forced families to flee, leaving behind most of their possessions.

Aslam described the suddenness of the floodwaters entering their village, leaving no time for preparation. "They had to vacate their houses after the floodwater suddenly entered their village, he said, adding that they left everything behind because there was no time to prepare." He spoke while walking beside a railway track towards his flooded house, hoping to collect clothes, bedding, and other vital items.

“

Flooding in Bhed Nullah has always ruined our houses and farmland, throwing our life out of gear.

Several villages along the Lahore-Gujranwala tract of the Grand Trunk Road have been completely submerged due to the overflow of nearby nullahs. This recurring issue of flooding in the Bhed Nullah area has historically ruined homes and farmland, causing immense disruption to the lives of residents. For Aslam and his family, life was already challenging, but the floods have amplified their fears of future hardships.

The immediate concern is retrieving essential items, but the long-term impact on livelihoods and rebuilding efforts looms large. The community faces the daunting task of recovery and resilience in the face of nature's destructive force, a challenge they have unfortunately become accustomed to.

“

They had to vacate their houses after the floodwater suddenly entered their village, he said, adding that they left everything behind because there was no time to prepare.