DHA, Clifton prepare for monsoons

Defence Housing Authority, Phase VII director Colonel (retired) Sagheer Ahmed chaired a meeting to review rain preparation.

Following a storm of heavy rain warnings, the Defence Housing Authority (DHA), Phase VII director Colonel (retired) Sagheer Ahmed chaired a meeting to review rain preparations.

Drain cleaning had already started and maintenance work on sewerage and drainage systems will be completed by June 29, before the monsoons start.

Main drains at Khayaban-i-Hafiz and Khayaban-i-Rahat, DHA have already been de-silted. Clifton Board Cantonment (CBC) representatives assured that repairs of damaged manhole covers and the replacement of missing ones has been arranged. There were more than 500 open manholes in the area since most of these covers are stolen.

A Joint Rain Emergency Centre would be established at the DHA Main Office and would be open 24 hours a day. A smaller complaint centre will also operate in phase VIII. Defence Authority Model High School Phase-IV and Defence Authority SKBZ College Phase-VI, have been earmarked as relief centres. DHA Medical Centre has also been put on high alert and will be working round-the-clock to provide medical services.

If any DHA residents are stuck or stranded in their houses due to accumulation of rainwater, they will be provided drinking water and food by the DHA Vigilance Team. Suction pumps, dewatering equipment, turbines and mobile hydrants will be available. A mobile maintenance team will patrol roads.

Published in the Express Tribune, June 3^rd, 2010.