Flood warning prompts evacuation of residents
A view of urban flooding. PHOTO: AGHA MEHROZ/EXPRESS
Residents of low-lying areas in Rawalpindi have started evacuating to safer places as the monsoon season begins, posing a threat of urban floods.
Communities near Nullah Leh, 10 major rain drains, and the banks of Soan River are particularly at risk.
Many residents have already moved their valuables, jewelry, and pets to safe locations, leaving only necessary equipment in their homes.
According to sources, instructions have been issued for residents of 183 damaged buildings to shift to safer places. Close monitoring of leaky buildings is under way, and 350 civil defense volunteers and 1122 rescuers are on red alert.
The flood season, expected to last from July 15 to August 31, has prompted immediate announcements through mosque loudspeakers. Sources said Pakistan Army officers are stationed in the flood control room, and the 111 Brigade officers have conducted assessments of low-lying areas in preparation for heavy rain.
The army is also on high alert to handle any situation that may arise.
To prevent flooding, the administration has demolished all 121 slums along the major drains and relocated the residents away from Nullah Leh.
Sources further said the advanced Japanese flood warning system has been activated and once the monsoon season is over, fencing on both sides of the major drains will be initiated to prevent dumping of building materials into the drains and rivers. Mobile teams will monitor these areas daily, including during the night, for two months.
They said anyone caught dumping building materials into Nullah Leh will face arrest and legal consequences.
Furthermore, the Rawalpindi deputy commissioner has established five flood relief camps at Islamia Higher Secondary School No 1 on Murree Road, Islamia School at Liaquat Bagh Chowk, Girls Degree College New Katarian, Girls School Dhok Rata, and Girls College in Gawalmandi.
The education department will be responsible for accommodation, the finance department for food, the health department for medicine, and local police for security. The deputy Commissioner plans to inspect these relief camps in the coming week.
On the other hand, authorities have warned that heavy rainfall may cause urban floods in low-lying areas of Islamabad and Rawalpindi from July 15 to 17 and may trigger landslides in the vulnerable areas of Murree, Galiyat, Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan and hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM APP
Published in The Express Tribune, July 16th, 2023.