Flood fears return to Nullah Leh

The 18-kilometre Nullah Leh, which runs through the heart of Rawalpindi and Islamabad and causes devastation every monsoon, originates from the Margalla Hills.

Until 1950, it was a clear stream used for drinking, bathing, washing clothes and ablution, while water carriers supplied its water across the city. Dense forests, trees and birdlife surrounded its banks.

As Islamabad's construction began during Ayub Khan's era, the stream gradually turned into a sewage drain. Its width expanded from 20 feet to nearly 500 feet due to erosion before shrinking to 100-300 feet because of encroachments.

The Hindu community once immersed ashes there after cremation, and several washing ghats lined its banks. Historically, Alexander's army camped near the stream, while Aryan settlers lived along it for decades.

So far, 17 floods have struck Nullah Leh, claiming 210 lives and killing around 2,500 livestock. The deadliest flood on July 23, 2001, killed 81 people, submerged half the city under 10 to 20 feet of water and caused an estimated Rs9 billion in losses. Katarian and Gawalmandi remain the two key flood-monitoring points with danger levels of 18 and 17 feet, respectively.

Three people, including a father and son, have already drowned in pre-monsoon incidents this year, while no full-scale flood rehearsal, relief camps or joint army-civil administration monitoring room has yet been established.

Residents of low-lying areas fear another disaster, saying authorities disappear during floods and return only for photo opportunities. Former interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said the Leh Expressway and sewerage tunnel remain the only permanent solution. Commissioner Salman Ghani said all departments have been placed on high alert and flood response arrangements completed.

Monsoon plan finalised

On the other hand, the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) has finalised its monsoon emergency plan to tackle possible flooding from Leh Nullah in low-lying areas of the city.

Rain emergency has been enforced, desilting of Leh Nullah and 15 sewerage drains completed, and obstructions removed to ensure smooth water flow into the Soan River.

According to WASA, rainfall exceeding 35 millimetres in one hour in the catchment area could create flood conditions in Rawalpindi. The agency has identified 21 vulnerable locations where overflow may enter low-lying neighbourhoods.

Around Rs60 million has been spent on desilting Leh Nullah and clearing sewerage drains, while 100 kilometres of sewer lines have also been cleaned. Experts said 69 per cent of the catchment area lies in Islamabad and 31 per cent in Rawalpindi.

WASA has conducted three mock exercises and plans a fourth. Managing Director Azizullah Khan said relief camps at educational institutions, machinery deployment and emergency evacuation arrangements have been completed, while residents living along Leh Nullah have already been issued precautionary alerts.