Plan chalked out ahead of ‘abnormal’ monsoon season

In wake of the Meteorological Department’s prediction of more than usual rains in the upcoming monsoon season, which could result in potentially catastrophic floods in Nullah Leh and 10 other major stormwater drains of the garrison city, the district administration has devised a ‘relief plan’ by declaring June 15 to August 15 as the flood season.

Sources said two control rooms will be set up as part of the plan. “One control room will be set up in the office of the Civil Defence Department, which will work round the clock from June 15 to August 31, while the other control room will be set up in the office of the Rawalpindi Metropolitan Corporation,” they said.

The Triple One Brigade of the Pakistan Army will also be on the red alert roundthe-clock during the flood season, the sources added. According to sources, the representatives of the deputy commissioner along with Triple One Brigade representatives will remain present in the control room at the office of the Civil Defence Department while representatives of the army, police, Rescue 1122 and the Met Office will also be present in the same control room.

Five flood relief centres will be set up to provide full assistance to victims due to possible flooding in the wake of pre-monsoon and monsoon rains. These relief centres will be established at the Islamia Higher Secondary School, One Murree Road, Islamia High School, Four Liaquat Road, Girls Degree College New Katarian, Girls School Dhok Ratta Amaral and Girls College Gawal Mandi. The areas of Javed Colony, Nadeem Colony, Khayaban-e Sir Syed, Dhok Dalal Bridge and its adjacent areas including Dhok Chiragh Din, Mareer Hassan, Ziaul-Haq Colony, Dhok Hassu, Dhok Ratta, Gawal Mandi, Usmanpura and Mohanpura are declared to be potentially most affected in case of the flooding.

Red notices to vacate the area will be issued to those living in shanties and temporary encroachments on the banks of the Nullah LeH in these areas by May 30, while Rescue 1122, civil defence and police personnel will conduct a full dress rehearsal of relief activities since the start of the next month to fully support the victims of Nullah Leh during the flood season. Duties have also been assigned to the institutions at the flood relief centres.