RAWALPINDI: The Punjab government has released Rs30 million to clean areas along Leh Nullah to avoid flooding during the upcoming monsoon season. All civic bodies have been directed to coordinate and prepare for monsoon.

This was discussed in a meeting, held to review arrangements for the monsoon season with Commissioner Syed Gulzar Hussain Shah in the chair. The meeting was attended by Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) Managing Director Raja Shaukat Mehmood, Rescue 1122 director, RWMC Managing Director Awais Manzoor Tarar, Local Government Department Director Amna Raffique and other officials concerned.

The commissioner also formed a monitoring team led by Ms Raffique to inspect work being done by different civic bodies. Mr Shah said it was true that no one could control natural calamities but early measures can reduce their disastrous impact.

In order to make the work effective, it is necessary to carry out the work in the right place where it is really needed. Therefore, all activities carried out for prevention of floods should be carefully done with vigilance where they are needed, he said.

Monitoring team formed to inspect work being carried out by civic bodies

He directed the Wasa managing director to timely clear 11 tributaries of Rawalpindi which fall along Leh Nullah where there is a high risk of flooding. The cleaning of these tributaries should be ensured so that there is no obstruction in the flow of water, he said, adding special focus to improve the sewerage system throughout the city is needed.

“Cleaning should also be done so that in case of heavy rains, the sewer system is functional and the drainage system is running smoothly,” Mr Shah added.

The commissioner asked RWMC to immediately clean up piles of garbage along drains across the city and directed Rawalpindi Metropolitan Corporation (RMC) to clear encroachments along the banks of various drains.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) was asked to keep its alert system updated and keep people informed of the situation in a timely manner.

Wasa machinery should keep roads and streets clear so that accumulation of water does not disrupt people’s normal routine, the commissioner said, adding special attention must be directed towards low lying areas where flood water is likely to enter people’s homes in Ratta Amral, Katarian, Tipu Road, Dhok Naju, Gawalmandi and Ziaul Haq colony.

Wasa Managing Director Raja Shaukat Mehmood gave a detailed briefing on the cleaning of Leh Nullah and said that the most dangerous area along Leh Nullah is Gawalmandi where special efforts are being made to clean all drains.

He informed participants of the meeting that work to clean drains is under way and will be complete before monsoon season. The plan to prepare for monsoon has been finalised for which teams have been constituted for different areas of the city in case of heavy rainfall. Heavy machinery including six sucking machines, five jetting machines, five sewer cleaning rodding machines, 28 de-watering sets and 24 water bowsers are in working condition and deployed at these flood response units.

Meanwhile, after the meeting, Ms Raffique visited different parts of Leh Nullah to inspect the work being done by Wasa for cleanliness.

Published in Dawn, May 20th, 2021