Civic agency braces for monsoon

Special teams formed for disaster response, cleaning of streams ordered.

ISLAMABAD:

As the city received the first pre-monsoon rains, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) officials met here on Monday to review the preparedness to meet any emergency situation in the monsoons. The civic agency has established a Flood Relief Cell at the Directorate of Emergency and Disaster Management Headquarters. The step has been taken to provide flood relief services to the people, especially the rural populace of the capital city in case of any emergency during the upcoming monsoon spell.

The civic agency has also requested the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) for provision of boats to rescue the people in case of high flood, which has been agreed by the authority. Tents have also been arranged to provide relief to the affected people in case of severe flooding in the city.

A high-level meeting reviewed the state of preparedness of the Flood Relief Cell on Monday. Member Environment and Acting CDA Chairman Mian Waheedud Din directed the relevant departments to immediately initiate cleaning of drains for the smooth flow of rain water to avoid any untoward incident on the eve of monsoon rain spell in the federal capital.

All kinds of material obstructing the smooth flow of water shall be removed on emergency basis from streams, he directed. He also directed the Enforcement Directorate to constitute special teams to shift or remove the katchi abadis along the banks of drains at high risk zones to minimise the threats of loss of lives and property.

Director General Civic Management, Rawal Khan Matela, has been made the Chief Coordinator of the Flood Relief Cell, while the cell will work under the administrative control of the Director Emergency and Disaster Management Mansur Ahmad Khan, who will be the in charge of the cell.

All relevant directorates including the Directorates of Maintenance, Environment, Enforcement, Municipal Administration, Planning, Maintenance, Directorate of Machinery Pool Organization (MPO) and Capital Hospital will assist and coordinate in the relief services.

CDA spokesperson Ramzan Sajid said Flood Relief Cell will function round the clock, and would be equipped with latest relief devices including 20 dewatering pumps, vehicles including pickups, shovels, front end loaders and dumpers.

“Flood Relief Cell will ensure that all flushing units with operational staff are available round the clock for quick and prompt response at enquiry offices,” he said, adding that on the direction of the chairman CDA, arrangements have been made to share the water situation at Simly Dam with the public through media on daily basis and the same information will be communicated with Islamabad Capital Territory.

The Acting Chairman CDA has appealed the residents of the capital to coordinate with the management of Flood Relief Cell on telephones and mobile phone numbers.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 28^th, 2011.