Rawalpindi ramps up dengue defence
To prevent dengue threat before the monsoon season, the Rawalpindi District Council (RDC) has released funds amounting to Rs39.3 million for the cleanliness of all 40 small and large graveyards in the suburban areas and rainwater drains.
Cutting of spontaneous grass, herbal plants, cannabis plants, thorough de-silting of drains, enhancement of drains' depth for un-interrupted flow of water, maintenance of rainwater drains to prevent the spread of dengue and possible flooding from monsoon rains will be done.
Funds amounting to Rs19.8m have been allocated for the cutting of cannabis, herbal plants, grass, and bushes up to five feet in graveyards, while a sum of Rs19.5m has been earmarked and released for the thorough de-silting of major rainwater drains flowing through suburban areas.
The Chief Officer of the District Council says contracts for these tasks will be formally auctioned and after the auction on June 5, the contracts will be awarded.
Before the monsoon season, complete cleaning of all rural graveyards in Rawalpindi, including cutting of overgrown bushes, grass, and cannabis will be carried out.
After this cutting, a regular anti-dengue spray will be conducted in the graveyards.
Chemical spray will also be applied to the places where rainwater stagnates in the cemeteries so that dengue mosquito larvae cannot breed.
After cleaning the rainwater drains of rural areas, a ban will be imposed on throwing garbage and building materials into these drains.
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday approved PTI founder Imran Khan’s bail application in the 190 million pound corruption case.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 16th, 2024.