Spillways open: Lethargy and ignorance make it ‘dangerous’

Miscommunication resulted in ICT being informed about the opening of the spillways after almost three hours.

ISLAMABAD:

The spillways of Rawal Dam were opened on Monday afternoon as the reservoir reached its maximum level. However, the city administration was left unpleased with the management of the situation by Small Dam Organization, which could have made the situation worse.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Abdul Wahid, Sub Divisional Officer of Small Dam Organization at Rawal Dam said the spillways were opened at 1:30pm when the water level at the dam reached to 1748.3 feet and was discharged from eight gates which were opened by one foot. He said the level was not dangerous and was normal.

However, a miscommunication took place between the Small Dam Organization and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT). An official at the control room of ICT said that almost three hours after the gates were opened, they were informed about the opening of the spillways.

Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Amer Ali Ahmed expressed his concern over the “lethargic and ignorant attitude” of Small Dams Organization for not releasing a small amount of water from dam with short intervals and for not taking preventive measures before the downpour. “During heavy rains it could be too dangerous to releases huge amount of water simultaneously as it can cause a huge disaster,” he said.



Published in The Express Tribune, July 26^th, 2011.