No flood camps despite monsoon threat

Despite the start of the flood season, flood relief centres have yet to be established in Rawalpindi, while Gawalmandi Bridge has once again unofficially been designated as the monitoring point for officials and visitors during flood emergencies.

According to sources, in the event of flooding in Leh Nullah and other parts of the city, ministers, lawmakers, advisers and other visitors are expected to inspect the situation from Gawalmandi Bridge instead of visiting low-lying affected areas. A decision has also been taken to deploy VVIP security at the bridge.

Although two low-level floods during the pre-monsoon period have already served as a warning, Civil Defence has yet to establish rescue warden posts in vulnerable low-lying localities. The desilting of the 18-kilometre Leh Nullah and its 15 seasonal drains was scheduled for completion by June 30, but less than 30 per cent of the work has been completed.

Desilting has been carried out only near Gawalmandi Bridge and Dhoke Ratta Bridge, where the removed waste has been dumped along the banks of Leh Nullah, forming heaps nearly 30 feet high. The garbage is reportedly being washed back into the drain by wind and rain.

Every year by June 15, six flood relief camps are established at Islamia School No. 1, Islamia School No. 4, Government Girls Schools in New Katarian, Khayaban-i-Sir Syed and Bhosa Godam, and Gawalmandi Girls College. However, no relief camps have been set up at any of these schools this year.

Civil Defence has also not established its temporary warden posts in low-lying areas. Similarly, the full-dress rescue drills, usually conducted at Rawal Dam between June 1 and June 15 to train personnel from all relevant departments in flood rescue operations, have yet to begin.

Heavy machinery has also not been deployed for the cleaning of Nullah Leh and the 15 seasonal drains.

The central flood control room has not yet become fully operational, while the district administration has yet to convene a joint meeting of the cantonment boards, other relevant departments and officials of the 111 Brigade to finalise flood preparedness, despite June coming to an end.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rainfall during the current week and warned of the risk of flooding in Rawalpindi.

According to officials, an important planning meeting on flood preparedness will be held at the deputy commissioner's Office this week, while flood relief camps are expected to be established in the first week of July.