Robbery paralyses flood alert system

Valuable equipment worth millions of rupees has been stolen from the Water Level Gauge Station in Rawalpindi, a crucial centre for issuing alerts about flood and rainfall situations in Nullah Leh and 15 other storm drains across the garrison city.

According to sources, unknown thieves broke into the station, stealing expensive batteries, computers, solar energy systems, and damaging several solar panels. The theft has led to the complete suspension of the flood and rainfall warning system in the entire city.

Additionally, the thieves made off with batteries and computers worth hundreds of thousands of rupees, turning the water gauge station into a junkyard.

The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), in collaboration with the federal and Punjab governments and foreign donor agencies, had installed an expensive system in Nullah Leh to monitor flood water levels and situations. This system provided automatic reports every two to three minutes on the amount of rain falling in Rawalpindi, the water flow, and the level as soon as it started raining. However, due to the theft, this system has been completely shut down. Until a new system is installed, reports on the flood situation in 15 rain drains, including Nullah Leh, will not be issued.

The incident has caused panic among WASA officials and the district administration. Despite having CCTV cameras, they have not been able to trace the suspects.

WASA officers have registered a case of theft at the water level gauge station, and inquiries were made throughout Friday, but no trace of the unknown thieves was found.

The system had been successfully operational for the last ten years in Rawalpindi but is now completely paralysed. The managing director of WASA has ordered a formal inquiry into the theft at the water level gauge station.

The Water Level Gauge Station played a vital role in flood management for the city, providing timely alerts that allowed for proactive measures to be taken to mitigate flood damage. The suspension of this system leaves the city vulnerable, especially during the monsoon season when accurate and timely information is critical.

To safeguard both the city and the cantonment from the potential hazards of monsoon rains, a flood season had been officially declared in Rawalpindi from June 15 to August 15, official sources said. The Triple One army contingent would remain on alert throughout this period to ensure swift response in case of any emergencies, they said and added that from June 15, a control room was operational to closely monitor the flood situation.

Identified as flood-prone zones, 20 low-lying and densely populated areas along the banks of Nullah Leh and major rainwater channels were marked for heightened vigilance. Additionally, five flood relief camps were also sanctioned to assist affected residents during emergencies.