In light of recent destructive flooding, the Rawalpindi district administration has declared 19 urban locations as highly susceptible to future flash floods.
In a directive, DC Hassan Waqar Cheema has issued a circular identifying these high-risk areas and appointing Assistant Commissioners, Tehsildars, and departmental heads as area-specific supervisory officers.
The vulnerable zones include New Katarian Lai Bridge, Bangash Colony, Ziaul Haq Colony, Boring Road, Pirwadhai Bridge, Dhoke Naju, Dhoke Dalal, Dhoke Hassu Bridge, Hazara Colony, Dhoke Ratta, Gawalmandi, Dhoke Elahi Bakhsh, Sadiqabad, Javed Colony and Nadeem Colony, Tahli Mohri, Jan Colony, Tench Bhatta Last Stop, Banaras Colony, and Sharon Colony (Sawan Camp).
These areas have witnessed severe urban flooding on three separate occasions within the past week, with water rising to three to five feet inside homes and streets, resulting in widespread damage and hardship for residents.
To strengthen on-ground disaster response, circle in-charges have been designated from relevant departments. Additionally, officers from the health, education, police, revenue, rescue services, and civil defence have been deployed to these flood-prone areas to ensure coordinated action during emergencies.
The DC has mandated that all assigned officers must report to their designated locations at the onset of rainfall. Failure to respond or any dereliction of duty will result in strict disciplinary measures.
Despite these measures, residents of Nadeem Colony, Javed Colony, and Dhoke Elahi Bakhsh — including Haji Naveed Khan, Chaudhry Imran, Chaudhry Shaukat, and Zartaj Khan — have expressed deep frustration.
They claim their communities have endured over five decades of recurring flood crises, yet during the most recent deluge, no official presence or support was evident, even as floodwaters inundated their neighbourhoods.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ