Flood alert prompts evacuations

15 Rawalpindi areas declared sensitive as weatherman predicts heavy downpour

RAWALPINDI:

In light of the met department’s forecast of heavy rain, Rawalpindi has issued a ‘red alert’ with at least 15 low-lying areas of the city susceptible to urban flooding. Rescue services also carried out a mock exercise to rescue citizens trapped in flooded areas.

The instructions were issued from the office of the deputy commissioner, with residents living in the vicinity of Nullah Leh and ten ren drains have begun evacuation. The residents have also been advised to take their valuables along with them to safer locations.

The areas from where residents have been asked to evacuate include Nadeem Colony, Javed Colony, Gawalmandi, Dhok Naju, Bangash Colony, Dhok Matkal, Dhok Elahi Baksh, Dhok Dalal, Tahli Mohri and Aslam Market, Banaras Colony and Range Road, Dhok Hasu, Sadiqabad, New Katarian, Ziaul Haq Colony, Dhok Ratta and the densely-populated Sharoon Colony along the Soan River.

The administration has also deployed various rescue departments, with 250 volunteers of Civil Defense

250 volunteers of Civil Defense have been deployed in the 15 areas declared ‘sensitive and dangerous’ till September 30. One focal person has been appointed for each area. Last month, the district administration had decided to extend the end of the flood season till September 30.

A contingent of the army’s 111 Brigade army has also been notified to assist in case of emergencies.

The administration has set up five relief camps for those impacted by floods, with Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqar Cheema inspecting facilities.

Meanwhile, Civil Defense, Rescue 1122, police, personnel of health and education departments along with officials from power and gas suppliers participated in the mock exercise to rescue flood-hit people.

They also played out situations including response time to reach a particular location once the flooding alarm was raised. The dispatched rescue team then reached those pretending to be trapped in flooding, and brought to a safe location. Personnel of the 111 Brigade were scheduled to visit the low-lying areas this week.

Civil Defense District Officer Talib Hussain said that they had established wards and pickets in the areas flagged as sensitive and dangerous. The units would stay in place until September 30, with staff available round the clock.

Meanwhile, the deputy commissioner said that flood relief camps had been established at the Islamia Higher Secondary School One Murree Road, Islamia High School No. 4 Liaquat Bagh, Girls Degree College New Katarian, Girls High School Dhok Ratta and the Government Girls School Ganjmundi.

The education department has been tasked with arranging accommodation at the relief camps, the finance department would be responsible for food. The health department would be responsible for their well-being while the police station would provide security.

A flood warning system has been activated at Nullah Leh and the 10 rain drains that get flooded. In case the flood situation reaches critical level, announcements and warning sirens would be sounded from mosques across the city.

Rescue 1122 and Civil Defense teams were equipped with boats and life jackets.

A flood control room has been set up in Kutchery district, which includes representatives of the army.

The preparations come as the provincial capital Lahore was battered by rains on Wednesday, with water several feet high accumulating in multiple areas. It also resulted in at least six casualties. Last month, over two dozen people died in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Meanwhile, the memories of last year’s floods are still fresh. Pakistan recorded its wettest July in over sixty years, with the country receiving three-times the rainfall.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 6^th, 2023.