‘Capital fully prepared to deal with possible flood’

Official says relief camps set up at some points in rural, urban areas, including Soan

ISLAMABAD:

Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Irfan Nawaz Memon said that the district administration was fully prepared to deal with the possible flood amid torrential rains as predicted by the Met Office for the twin cities a couple of days ago.

Talking to the media about the overall flood management strategy, he said that arrangements had been finalised for evacuating the people to safe places such as schools in case of flood in rivers and nullahs. He added that relief camps had been set up at some points in rural and urban areas of Islamabad, including Soan, H-13 and E-11.

More camps would also be established at government schools in other areas where the provision of all the facilities, including food and electricity would be ensured. The deputy commissioner said that the locations for camps were selected by reviewing the past history. All the housing societies were asked to set up relief camps, he added.

The official added that the Rawal Dam Authority had already been taken on board which would give prior information to the administration about the opening of dam's spillways. All the nullahs had already been cleansed to avoid overflowing, he said, adding that de-watering pumps had been provided to drain out stagnant water in different areas.

The deputy commissioner said that five boats were also provided to relevant departments to rescue people in case of any flood. Arrangements had been completed to save people from natural disaster. Moreover, the assistant commissioners and officials of other relevant departments were constantly monitoring the situation.

The district administration was in the field to serve the citizens, he said. The deputy commissioner said that all possible steps were being taken to protect the life and properties of the masses. The citizens were being requested through media to stay away from rivers and nullahs during rains.

Meanwhile, officials of the Health and other departments concerned on Friday briefed Deputy Commissioner (DC) Islamabad Irfan Nawaz Memon on the measures taken to prevent spread of dengue virus amid the ongoing monsoon season.

He was also apprised about the latest situation and performance of the officials for eliminating the dengue larvae from the city.

Presiding over a meeting over dengue-control, the DC noted that the monsoon season was favourable for dengue larvae growth due to accumulation of water at different spots.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 16^th, 2022.