JICA shows interest in urban flooding projects

Japanese company in talks with WASA to devise viable plan for controlling urban flooding

RAWALPINDI:

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has expressed interest in aiding the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) in controlling urban flooding in Rawalpindi by storing rainwater in ground storage tanks as well as upgrading the warning system of Nullah Leh.

A delegation from the JICA Disaster Management Division visited WASA Rawalpindi, where they met Managing Director (MD) Muhammad Tanveer and held a detailed discussion on various projects related to urban flooding.

While giving a briefing, MD WASA said that the potential construction of underground tanks to store rainwater in Rawalpindi in under consideration, with similar tanks already operational in Lahore helping control urban flooding in the provincial capital. The agency’s plan to acquire heavy machinery to clean the drains was also discussed, while a proposed upgradation of Nullah Leh’s warning system was also brought up.

In turn, the JICA delegation expressed interest in the proposed projects and assured timely implementation.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 5^th, 2022.