Leh erosion puts homes, shops at risk

Aftermath of Sep 1 floods continues to threaten communities along Nullah Leh

RAWALPINDI:

Although the flood surge in Nullah Leh following nearly 200mm of rain on September 1 has receded, its destructive aftermath continues, with widespread soil erosion and landslides threatening homes, shops, roads, bridges and passageways along a roughly 15-kilometre stretch from New Katarian to Gulistan Colony.

The situation is particularly alarming near Ganj Mandi, where severe landsliding has put 10 shops and three houses at risk of collapse. The district administration has declared the affected area dangerous and sealed it to prevent movement. A bridge connecting Ratta with Dhoke Ratta has also been closed as a precaution.

The torrential rain on September 1 caused a powerful flood surge in Nullah Leh, severely eroding its banks at several points. Even after the water receded, soil erosion and landsliding have continued.

Along the stretch from New Katarian to Gulistan Colony, the ground is giving way at several locations, while roads and pathways have been washed away. In some areas, residential and commercial buildings have been left dangerously close to the nullah.

The situation near Ganj Mandi is especially serious, where a large section of land along the nullah has collapsed. Continued erosion has placed 10 shops and three houses in danger, prompting the administration to restrict movement in the affected area.

In Sagri Mohalla, erosion has washed away a passage in front of residential houses, causing severe difficulties for residents. An unpaved route leading from Ratta Road towards Ganj Mandi has also been swept away by floodwaters.

Local residents have blamed illegal dumping of construction waste along Nullah Leh for aggravating the destruction. They said bricks, gravel, construction debris and household solid waste had been dumped along the nullah and its banks throughout the year using tractor-trolleys.

The accumulation of waste obstructed the natural flow of water at several points, residents said, while changes in the direction of floodwaters during the deluge intensified erosion along the banks.

According to residents, some settlements were around 50 yards from Nullah Leh before September 1, but severe erosion has reduced the distance to roughly 10 metres at several locations.

Residents fear that further rainfall or another flood surge could put homes and commercial buildings directly in danger. They have demanded immediate construction of concrete retaining walls and reinforced embankments at vulnerable points, as well as strict legal action against those dumping construction waste and the tractor-trolley owners involved.

Meanwhile, the embankments of the Gowalmandi Bridge were also damaged by the September 1 flood. The powerful flow of water battered the bridge and its approaches, weakening parts of the structure. The administration has since begun repair work on the damaged embankments.

The bridge connecting Ratta with Dhoke Ratta has also been closed as a safety measure to prevent any major accident caused by weakened sections.

Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Captain (retd) Nadeem Nasir said the issue of modernising and improving Rawalpindi's drainage system had been included in the Punjab Development Project.