Punjab ministers review urban flooding in Rawalpindi

Say emergency responders should continue mock exercises

RAWALPINDI: Three ministers of Punjab visited Rawalpindi on Saturday and inspected low-lying areas in Rawalpindi including Nullah Leh and asked all concerned departments and organisations to remain on red alert position to meet any untoward situation in result of devastating rains and floods.

Provincial Minister for Disaster Management Mehar Ijaz Ahmed, Punjab Minister for Minerals Chaudhry Sher Ali and Provincial Minister for Sports Jahangir Khanzada visited Gunjmandi area and inspected the adjoining locations and level of rain water in Nullah Leh.



They said that emergency responding departments should continue mock exercises to operate efficiently at the time of any emergency so that loss to the life and properties of citizens could be prevented. Earlier, the provincial ministers in a meeting held in the Committee Room of Commissioner Office was apprised about the measures adopted to drain out the rain water from low-lying areas, gathered as a result of up to 86 millimeter rainfall on Friday morning.

Acting Commissioner Rawalpindi Talat Mehmood Gondal and RPO Fakhar Sultan Raja informed members about the rescue activities carried out by concerned departments to save the life and properties of citizens. The ministers were briefed about the performance of Rescue 1122, WASA, Solid Waste Management Company, and Metropolitan Corporation which had been remain active since the rain started on early Friday morning.



They said that due to effective management and rescue activities the affected low-lying areas were evacuated.

It was stated that water level in Nulah Leh at Gawalmandi Bridge was recorded up to 14 to 15 feet high however due to timely operation of all departments the situation was overcomed and routine life was restored in Rawalpindi.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 27^th, 2017.