Prevention not better than cure

ISLAMABAD: Like all the different parts of the country, the twin cities took a lashing from torrential rains in a devastating spell which concluded a couple of days ago. The ill-preparation of authorities and city management was questioned by all and sundry. But the worst, as the met department warns, is yet to come.

On the eve of the second spell of widespread rains, the dwellers of Rawalpindi and Islamabad have complained of lack of measures taken by the authorities, with the monsoons, like always, taking everyone by surprise.

On the other hand, Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Rawalpindi City Administration seem to be running out of ideas to prevent potential destruction expected from the four days of rains forecasted to begin from Monday.

Faisal Mehmood, who lives by the Nullah Leh said, “Every year many precious lives are lost in the monsoons, all the planning is based around this season, still the rains always manage to get the better of the arrangements.”

Similarly, the locals of sectors G-10 and G-7 in Islamabad claimed that no effort was being taken to clean the nullahs in Islamabad. Ahmed, who lives near one of these streams turned into sewerage canals, said that CDA was not doing anything to improve the situation. His son Usama, along with another boy, drowned in these nullahs last week in separate incidents.

CDA Chairman Imtiaz Inayat Elahi expressed his helplessness over the issue. “The cleanliness is facing delay due to the deep water they are holding currently, we cannot do anything until the water recedes,” he said.

Commissioner of Rawalpindi, Zahid Saeed expressed similar views about the desilting of Nullah Leh, which could not be carried out due to the amount of water present in it. But he insisted that steps were being taken to minimise the potential loss which could occur in case of flooding in Leh. “Sixteen relief centres have been set up to meet any emergency. Doctors and rescue workers will be appointed to the most vulnerable areas,” he added.

CDA Chairman has made similar arrangement to tackle untoward incidents in the capital. Elahi said that at least 14 rescue vans had been reserved for the people of kachi abadis or other low lying areas near Rawal Dam.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Islamabad, Amir Ahmed Ali, asked the people to be more careful and wary of the rain water. “People should not allow their children near electricity towers in the case of heavy rains. They should be kept indoors instead of being let off to roam around in the dangerous weather,” he said.

Ali added that six feet of water was being discharged daily from Rawal Dam for the last two days, in the wake of upcoming spells of rain. “We have also made arrangements for the rural areas, four relief camps have been set up at the government schools in different localities,” he said.

The previous spell of rains struck the low lying areas of Nilour Village, kachi abadis next to nullahs (especially Leh in Rawalpindi) and other areas. Residents of the twin cities urged the authorities to take action on immediate basis to avert further harm to human life or capital.

Imtiaz, a resident of Rawalpindi, expressed his dissatisfaction over the dormant role of the politicians in the entire scenario. “They have not shown any eagerness in getting the flood control plan implemented nor are
the funds being released, as the people continue to die because of proper arrangements,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 3^rd, 2010.