Rain on Eid forecast costs WASA staff holidays

Agency fears urban flooding after heavy rain forecast this week

RAWALPINDI:

Following the forecast for heavy monsoon rains, the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) on Sunday suspended the Eidul Azha holidays of all its workers.

Acting on weather advisory, the civic agency has deployed machines and suction pumps in all low-lying areas. The water level in the storm drains is expected to rise to a spewing point due to heavy downpour expected in the current week, WASA spokesperson Umar Farooq said.

The agency was ready and prepared to meet dangers and difficulties arising from the monsoon rains. All precautionary measures have already been taken, he informed.

Farooq added that as a safety measure, the Rawalpindi administration has directed the residents along the Nullah Leh to move to safer sites.

For additional support, the spokesperson said that the Civil Defence Department (CDD) has also alerted its 300 volunteers who have been directed to rush to the low-lying areas in case of rain.

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The administration has declared flooding season till September 30 and banned dumping litter or debris in all storm drains in the garrison city. Further, due to prompt de-silting and dredging of Nullah Leh, the water flow in the water body remained rapid despite the heavy downpour on Sunday morning. The water level in Nullah Leh stayed one-feet lower than the dangerous level. The WASA MD Shaukat Mehmood said that flood alert was issued once the water level reached 11 feet. However, it remained 10 feet during the downpour.

The official added that 24 feet is considered the most dangerous level and for Nullah Leh to reach this point, at least 100 mm downpour was required.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 27^th, 2020.