Monsoon rains: CDA braces for possible emergencies

CDA reviewed its preparedness to cope with possible emergencies.

ISLAMABAD:

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Friday reviewed its preparedness to cope with possible emergencies with regards to the monsoon season.

It was decided during a meeting chaired by CDA Chairman Maroof Afzal that all of the authority’s departments would make coordinated efforts to ensure that maximum precautionary measures are in place before and during the rainy season.

The civic agency’s engineering wing has been tasked to complete repair and maintenance work of roads and drains to ensure smooth flow of rainwater while the environment wing has been tasked to start cutting and trimming of wild shrubs and grass.

At the meeting, the sanitation directorate was also directed to ensure timely collection of garbage and solid waste lying along the capital’s nullahs.

Afzal directed officials to warn slum-dwellers living near the nullahs to take protective measures against possible floods in case of heavy rains.

To cope with any untoward incident or natural calamity, the CDA chairman also directed the emergency and disaster management directorate to ensure availability of vehicles, water pumps and staff round-the-clock to cope with emergencies.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 12^th, 2014.