ISLAMABAD: A plan to evacuate people from low lying areas has been made as a preemptive measure to floods in rivers and streams and heavy rains.

Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Irfan Nawaz Memon on Friday briefed the media about the step taken for the evacuation of people and the rescue plans in case of heavy rains, and floods in the rivers and streams in the capital.

The people residing in low lying areas will be evacuated and shifted to safer areas in case of floods in nullahs and heavy rains, he said, adding that basements of houses and plazas located in low lying areas and near the nullahs will be closed in case of floods and heavy rains.

In this regard relief camps have been set up at 19 points in low-lying rural and urban areas, he said, adding that the camps were set up at Sihala Union Council, Azeem Town, Sihala Cust University, Kaak Bridge, Sanum Chowk, Sharifabad Main Bazar, Sohan Bridge, Meharban Town Tarlai, Soan Garden, Ghouri Town, E-11, H-13, Muslim Colony, Bari Imam, Goral Sharif, I-10 adjacent to Katchi Abadi, G-15 and Niazian.

More relief camps will be set up at government schools in case of emergency and if needed, the DC said, adding that the IMCG Bari Imam, IMCG Muslim Colony, IMSG F-7/4, IMS G-7/1, IMS G-7/2, Church F-6/2, IMC I-9/1, Model School for Boys G-8/1, Korang Town, Soan Garden, Sihala Union and MC Rawal Town.

In case of floods, the affected people would be shifted to the relief camps, Mr Memon said, adding that these camps would have edible items and generators. Medical facilities would also be provided in the camps.

Five boats are being provided to rescue teams to evacuate the people from low lying area to relief camps in case of floods, Mr Memon said.

All the housing societies are also instructed to make arrangements for setting up their own relief camps immediately, he said.

Coordination has also been established with the Rawal Dam Authority over opening of spillways, the DC said, adding that the authority will inform the capital administration before opening the spillways so precautionary and safety measures could be taken.

Instruction has also been issued to the authorities concerned to remove encouragement alongside the nullahs, the DC said, adding that assistant commissioners and officer of CDA are monitoring the arrangements.

DC Memon said that section 144 of CrPC imposed in capital, banning bathing and swimming in all the nullahs and dams in the capital.

He advised people to keep them away from the nullahs and dams to avoid any mishap.

Published in Dawn, July 16th, 2022