Rawalpindi chalks out post-rain strategy

Sources say five people, including two children, were killed in rain-related mishaps

RAWALPINDI:

The District Disaster Management Committee (DDMC) convened an emergency meeting on Tuesday after five people, including two children, died as a result of flooding, electrocution and a structural collapse during Monday’s monsoon rain.

The committee decided to re-clean the surroundings of these areas, putting all institutions on alert to deal with any emergency situation.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Hassan Waqar Cheema and MNA Hanif Abbasi jointly chaired the DDMC meeting that was attended by MNAs Malik Abrar, Chaudhry Daniyal, Malik Iftikhar and Ziaullah Shah and various administrative officers.

During the meeting, the committee reviewed administrative issues related to dealing with emergency situations that might arise due to excessive rainfall. Rescue 1122 representatives provided a comprehensive briefing.

The DC informed the committee that a 17km stretch of Nullah Leh passes through Rawalpindi, with 9km in the cantonment area and 8km in the city. He highlighted 19 vulnerable points along Nullah Leh and said that duties had been designated to Rescue 1122, Revenue, MCR, Civil Defence and Health officers and personnel at all these points. However, 13 relief centres had also been established to deal with emergency situations, he further informed the meeting.

Cheema updated the committee on the recent rainfall in the area, stating that 65 mm of rain was recorded in Rawalpindi the previous day. He also reported that the water level at Katarina of Nullah Leh reached as high as 12 feet and 8 feet at Gawalmandi. Alert had been issued to all institutions, he added.

MNA Abbasi emphasised the importance of proactive measures, stressing that all small and big drains in areas such as Sadiqabad, Jamia Masjid Road, Bohar Bazar, and Curry Road should be cleaned again to prevent water accumulation. He acknowledged that natural calamities could not be controlled, but it was essential to fulfil responsibilities and prioritise public safety.

Abbasi reiterated that saving people was the government's top priority and assured that MNA and MPAs along with the Rawalpindi administration would work together to address these challenges.

On Monday, heavy rain brought devastation to various areas, resulting in the tragic loss of five lives. A 10-year-old boy succumbed to the floodwater in the Shabir Lane area of Naseerabad police.