ISLAMABAD, July 5: Islamabad administration, in coordination with all the concerned departments, has finalised the flood contingency plan, in view of the upcoming monsoon rains and necessary protective arrangements in catchments areas have been made, officials of ICT administration said.

The officials of concerned departments including management of Rawal Dam and Simly Dam, CDA, Assistant Commissioners, Magistrates, DHO, ICT, and Civil Defense have been asked to upgrade their level of preparedness to meet any likelihood of floods in low-lying rural and urban areas, in view of the forecast of more rains this year and ensure effective coordination among them during the rains. A control room, for the purpose, has also been made functional to work round the clock.

Relief and rescue teams headed by the assistant commissioners and assisted by the CDA teams and Civil Defense Department personnel, have also been instructed to visit low-lying areas including Rawal Dam, Simly Dam, Korang River and other tributaries to ensure protective arrangements in place, prior to rains and shifting of people from catchment areas to safer places, in case of heavy rains.

Earlier during a meeting, Deputy Commissioner Islamabad, Amer Ahmed Ali has also held a coordination meeting with the officials of related departments and it was decided that the managements of Rawal Dam and Simly Dam would announce the gradual release of water from dams and prior to release of water, the people living in low-lying areas would be informed in advance about their shifting to safer places.

The rescue teams would remain alert in the catchment areas and announce through loudspeakers asking people to shift to safer places in time. It was decided that safe level of cushion in the dams would be maintained.

The deputy commissioner said that district health and livestock departments of ICT had also launched immunisation drive in the rural areas against the seasonal diseases as part of preventive measures. He informed that chlorination of all the water supply schemes in the rural area was also under way.

District administration has also identified school buildings for establishment of flood relief centres.

CDA teams have also been directed to keep their dewatering pumps ready.