Flood control project awaits CM's nod

The Rawalpindi Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) has incepted a Permanent Urban Flooding Control Project worth Rs117 billion to address the issue of flooding in Rawalpindi city and cantonment areas.

According to sources, the project has been submitted to the Punjab chief minister for final approval.

This initiative follows directives from the chief minister to develop similar projects for Rawalpindi, as has been done for other cities in Punjab, to prevent urban flooding during the monsoon season. The project for Rawalpindi aims to provide a permanent solution to the flooding that occurs in both the city and the cantonment areas.

One of the key components of the project involves the remodelling of Nullah Leh, for Rs80 billion. Nullah Leh, which runs between Rawalpindi city and cantonment, has been a source of flooding during heavy rains, causing significant damage. Under the proposed plan, a water channel will be developed to ensure that water levels in the nullah do not rise excessively during monsoon rains.

The separation of sewage from rainwater drains is also a critical aspect of this project, aiming to prevent overflow and flooding from the city's sewerage system.

In addition to remodelling, the project proposes upgrading the entire drainage system in the city and cantonment areas. Streets and roads without adequate drainage will have a permanent system installed, and the depth of the existing drains will be increased to accommodate more water. The goal is to create a system where even during heavy rains, the drains and sewerage channels will not overflow and cause flooding in the streets, residential areas, and business centres.

The project is expected to take between three and a half to five years to complete, depending on the approval and release of funding. Once completed, it will significantly reduce the risk of urban flooding in Rawalpindi, ensuring the safety of residents, businesses, and infrastructure.

WASA, which currently lacks the necessary machinery to effectively handle flooding situations, will be equipped with all required machinery under this project. This includes light and heavy scrubbers, excavators, dumpers, jetting machines, and other essential equipment, ensuring that the agency is fully prepared to tackle future flooding challenges.

During the recent monsoon season, when the water level in Nullah Leh rose significantly, over 40 sewage drains in the city and cantonment overflowed, flooding low-lying roads, residential areas, and business centres. This resulted in not only financial losses amounting to billions of rupees but also the tragic loss of four lives.

The flooding disrupted daily life, as roads and commercial centres were submerged in water.