ICTA slaps ban on swimming, boating in rivers & lakes

DC says unusually heavy rains have made streams, water reservoirs dangerous

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad Capital Territory Administration (ICTA) has imposed a ban on swimming, boating and fishing activities in rivers, lakes and water reservoirs for the next two months.

ICTA has declared Rawal Dam and Simly Dam as well as Soan River, Korang Nullah and other seasonal streams in Islamabad extremely dangerous due to heavy rainfall.

"Some people are fishing in Rawal Dam, Simly Dam and Soan River, besides the Korang Nullah and other seasonal streams in Islamabad which is extremely dangerous for human lives whereas incidents have also been reported in that regard," said a notification issued on Monday by Islamabad District Magistrate Hamza Shafqaat. This order shall remain in force for a period of two months and action would be taken against the offenders, it added

Many young people lose their lives while playing along river banks during rain. Though out for a picnic, people inadvertently slip into deep eaters and get swept away by torrents. The ban on swimming has been imposed for the safety of the people.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 1^st, 2020.