‘Steps being taken to prevent flooding’

ABBOTABAD:

The district administration is taking all possible steps to prevent urban flooding in collaboration with the allied departments, said Abbottabad Deputy Commissioner Tariq Salam Marwat on Wednesday.

He was chairing a meeting on the rehabilitation of the sewage system, cleaning of drains and urban flooding.

The meeting discussed issues related to the progress regarding the cleaning of drains, the elimination of encroachments on drains and briefed the meeting on urban flooding, while heads of agencies concerned also attended the meeting.

Representative Ayub Medical College gave a briefing on the ongoing construction of drains around Ayub Medical Complex, Ayub Medical College and Small Industries for cleaning and controlling water flow.

The official urged the TMA, Abbottabad Cantonment Board (ACB), Station Headquarters, WSSCA, Local Government, and Irrigation Department to pay attention to cleaning drains and end the encroachment on drains before rains. All possible steps should be taken to protect the city from floods like in previous years. He further said that the work of extension should be completed as soon as possible so that garbage and debris cleaning is completed to avoid blockage.

He called for the cooperation of the citizens and urged them to refrain from dumping garbage in the drains to ensure cleanliness and the elimination of encroachments. The deputy director also ordered that cleaning of NHA drains and culverts should be ensured, and garbage should be shifted to places outside the city immediately after cleaning.

Meanwhile, a day-long Traditional Games organised by the Directorate General Sports Khyber Pakhtunkhwa concluded at Kunj Ground Abbottabad on Wednesday.

These competitions included tug-of-war, stone lifting, kabaddi and gatka competitions.

Former DG Sports Tariq Mahmood was the chief guest along with District Bar Association President Malik Amjad Awan, Admin Officer Irshad Khan, DSOs, Regional Sports Officer Ahmad Zaman and other personalities were also present.

In the tug of war Abbottabad Green won the trophy after defeating Sylhet XI team in the final while the Kabaddi final match was drawn. Zafar Iqbal took the field in stone lifting.

Mahmood distributed cash prizes and trophies among the players.

DG Sports Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Khalid Khan, Director Sports Operations Azizullah Khan, Deputy Director Sports Operations Jamshed Baloch paid tribute to the entire team. He said that such initiatives and events had revived traditional sports and enhanced the best skills and passion of participants. He also said that all necessary steps were being taken for the promotion and development of sports.

Cash prizes were also distributed among the medal winners which would enhance their passion towards traditional games.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, June 30^th, 2022.