Clear drains, repair machines ahead of rains

Mayor tells officials to warn people living along sides of drains about flooding

ISLAMABAD: With monsoons setting in, the Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation (IMC) has been told to repair and maintain all roads and drains so that rain water does not collect in any area.

This was directed by Islamabad Mayor and Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Sheikh Anser Aziz while chairing a meeting on Monday to review progress on arrangements made for the monsoon season.

During the meeting, he directed the concerned departments of IMC and CDA to make coordinated efforts to take precautionary measure for heavy rains.

He further directed the Engineering Wing to complete repairs and maintenance of roads and drains in the city. Moreover, he directed that heavy machinery and associated vehicles, used during monsoons to clear clogged drains and standing water, should be repaired and maintained.

The Engineering Wing was also told to conduct a detailed survey of the city to cover all open manholes around the city apart from taking measures to ensure rainwater is drained from low-lying areas.

He also directed the wing to ensure that water pumps are in running order and available to help drain rain water from basements of houses and buildings of the city.

Aziz asked the Environment Wing to remove wild shrubs in addition to trimming grass. The Sanitation Directorate was told to take measures for collecting garbage and solid waste lying along the banks of major storm drains so that rain water could flow smoothly through such drains.

He further asked the concerned formation to warn slum dwellers living along the banks of drains of flooding and to take protective measures in the event of heavy rains.

The mayor directed that construction debris and soil irresponsibly dumped in different sectors of the city so that they do not clog drains.

Moreover, the Health Services Directorate was told to fumigate around major drains ravines and other areas of the city as part of a prevention drive against dengue and other disease spread by mosquitos.

To cope with any natural calamity, Aziz directed the Emergency and Disaster Management Directorate to ensure that their vehicles and staff are ready to be deployed at any moment.

He also directed the City Sewerage Division to clear the sewerage network and remove any obstacles which would block the smooth flow of rain water.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 11^th, 2017.