Flood alert issued for Leh during Eid

Relief camps set up, encroachments removed in view of impending deluge

RAWALPINDI:

A flood alert has been issued for Nullah Leh and 10 major storm drains across the city due to the forecast of excessive rainfall during the Eidul Azha holidays.

All encroachments have been demolished during a major operation on the banks of Nullah Leh, while a team of 111th Brigade has also been put on red alert in view of the danger posed by potential floods during the Eid holidays. This unit of the Army is in possession of big boats that could prove valuable during a possible evacuation.

Meanwhile, Rescue 1122 has also made arrangements for a boat to remain on standby in case of emergencies.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Tahir Farooq has issued instructions to the residents of all the adjoining settlements around Nullah Leh to evacuate their homes, move to safer places and secure their valuables.

On the orders of the DC, the Municipal Corporation and the administration have abolished slums along the banks of Leh during an operation. All the slums within 100 metres of other storm drains have also been removed.

The DC has further banned the construction of shacks and encroachments along the drains until September 30. Dumping of building materials and garbage in drains has been banned until the same date as well. Those who violate these orders will be arrested and prosecuted.

A plan has been drawn up to protect and assist the citizens trapped in water in case of flooding in Nullah Leh, under which four relief camps have been set up for potential flood victims. These relief camps have been set up at Islamia High School No. 1, Islamia High School No. 4 Liaqat Bagh, Girls High School New Katarian, High School Gawalmandi and Girls School Dhoke Ratta.

The food department will be responsible for provision of food, education department for accommodation, department of medicine for health and the local police will be responsible for providing security at these camps, where separate arrangements for men and women have been ensured. School classrooms have been vacated and mattresses have been laid in them.

The Civil Defence Department has also deployed 300 volunteers in the low-lying areas adjacent to Nullah Leh.

The district administration has declared areas including Javed Colony, Nadeem Colony, Dhoke Elahi Bakhsh, Dhok Najo, New Katarian, Ratta Amral, Zia-ul-Haq Colony and Dhoke Dalal as extremely dangerous in case of floods. The sanitation system in these areas has also been upgraded.

The flood season in Rawalpindi district has been declared from July 15 to September 15. Leaves of concerned officers and personnel of WASA Department, RDA, Corporation, Solid Waste Company have been cancelled for this period.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast heavy rainfall in the country during the Eid holidays and advised the concerned authorities to remain alert and take precautionary measures in wake of flash flooding and landslides in vulnerable areas.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 8^th, 2022.