Flood alert issued for Nullah Leh, Sawan River

Met Office forecasts heavy rains till Friday

RAWALPINDI:

Following the forecast of heavy rains by the Meteorological Department till Friday, the Rawalpindi district administration has issued a flood alert for Nullah Leh, Sawan River and 10 major rain drains flowing across the city on Monday.

Agencies concerned have been issued orders to remain on red alert from Tuesday till Friday. Ahead of the fresh monsoon rains, 10 flood relief camps have been set up in all low-lying areas across the city. The control of these flood relief camps has been handed over to the Rawalpindi Education Department.

In case of floods and displacement, the Department of Revenue will provide food three times a day to the affected citizens who will be accommodated in temporary shelters in these flood camps. The Punjab health department will provide medical facilities to the affected citizens.

Flood relief camps have been set up at Islamia High School No-1, Islamia High School No-4, Gawalmandi Girls School, Khayaban Sir Syed Girls School, New Katarian Girls Degree College, Dhok Rata Girls School, Loco Shed School, Pirwadhai Girls School.

The Metropolitan Municipal Corporation has also started monitoring all 250 dilapidated buildings in its jurisdiction that may collapse due to expected heavy monsoon rains.

The Water and Sanitation Agency has cancelled the off days of the staff till Friday given the expected floods. WASA staffers have been deployed in all underpasses and low-lying areas across the city to drain rainwater.

Rescue 1122 and Civil Defence personnel have also been deployed across the city. All Civil Defence wards have been activated in settlements along the Nullah Leh. Residents of low-lying areas and those residing along Nala Leh including Javed Colony, Nadeem Colony, Arya Mohalla, Dhok Elahi Bakhsh, Dhok Khabba, Millat Colony, Bangash Colony, Hazara Colony, Mohanpura, Dhok Rata, Dhok Chirag Din, Dhok Dalal Instructions have been issued instructions to vacate the areas during the flooding season.

Rawalpindi Development Authority Vice-Chairman Kamal Hashmi told The Express Tribune that this year there was no danger of flooding in Nullah Leh and Sawan River. “This year, we have completely cleaned all the small and big drains including Nullah Leh.

Street drains have also been cleaned. Last week, we witnessed two spells of heavy rain, but the floodwater passed through these drains as soon as the rain stopped. However, we will remain on red alert until September 30,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 27^th, 2021.