ISLAMABAD: While a number of areas of the capital have been hit by floods during monsoon rain, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Wednesday requested the Engineer-in-Chief (E-in-C) branch of the Pakistan Army to conduct a hydrological survey of zones II, III, IV and V to avoid flooding in the future.

Moreover, the civic agency has decided to halt issuance of no-objection certificates (NOCs) to housing societies in zones II, III and V till completion of the survey.

According to a document, available with Dawn, after the loss caused by the flooding of nullahs in E-11 during torrential rains in 2021, the government had directed the CDA to conduct survey of E-11.

“The job of the said study was entrusted to Directorate of Design Consultancy, Engineer-in­ Chief Branch, GHQ and a report has recently been submitted. The recommendations made in the report are required to be implemented by Planning Wing and Engineering Wing, CDA,” the document stated.

CDA told not to issue NOCs to housing societies until its completion

“During the recent heavy downpour, flood-like situations in different water courses/nullahs/streams have been observed in various areas of Islamabad which necessitated a comprehensive study/survey (hydrological) to cope with the situations coming out of flooding or cloudbursts in future. This study is also required since recent climate changes have caused changes and even behaviours of water courses. Based upon the proposed hydrological study, relevant authorities and agencies such as CDA, ICT, NDMA etc, will be able to make mitigation plans for Islamabad,” the document added.

It said the CDA chairman had directed to explore the option of extending the scope of services of E-in-C Branch to carry out a detailed hydrological study across Islamabad in zones II, III, IV and V.

“The report so prepared shall also include recommendations for taking appropriate measures where required. Meanwhile, approvals of LOPs (Layout Plans) and NOCs shall be processed subject to hydrological study,” it said.

According to a senior CDA officer, the survey in different zones of the capital will be conducted to identify flaws so work to fix them could be carried out.

He said instructions have been issued to the planning wing of CDA and registrar cooperatives (ICT) which state that no NOC should be issued to housing societies till completion of the survey in zones II, III and V. He said it may take up to six months to complete the study.

“This is much needed since no survey has ever been done in detail. With this survey, lives and property will be protected,” he said.

It is worth mentioning that the urban area of Islamabad (zone I), is directly under the CDA and is considered to be the most planned area and remains safe during rains.

Published in Dawn, July 14th, 2022