Rawalpindi declares monsoon flood emergency from June 15

RAWALPINDI: The district administration has declared a flood emergency in Rawalpindi for the period from June 15 to September 15 amid forecasts of above-normal rainfall and an elevated risk of urban flooding during the coming monsoon season.

A central flood monitoring control room will be made operational at the Civil Defence Office under the supervision of the army. During the emergency period, personnel of the 111 Brigade will remain on full red alert for any emergency response requirement.

Rescue preparations

After the Eid holidays, Civil Defence staff and Rescue 1122 personnel are scheduled to take part in specialised full-scale rehearsal training at Rawal Dam for rescue operations involving people stranded in floodwaters. Military personnel will also participate in those exercises.

The administration has also arranged manually operated emergency sirens for Civil Defence volunteers to ensure warning systems remain functional in case of electricity outages during the monsoon. The hand-cranked devices, which can operate without a power supply, will be placed at specially established Civil Defence ward posts in areas considered vulnerable to flooding.

Relief camps and drain clearance

In case of severe flooding, five relief camps will be set up at Islamia Higher Secondary School No 1 on Murree Road, Islamia High School near Liaquat Bagh on Liaquat Road, Girls School New Katarian, Girls School Dhoke Hassu, Girls School Dhoke Ratta near Bhusa Godam, and Girls School Gawalmandi.

The administration has also directed that desilting and clearance work along the 20-kilometre Leh Nullah and 15 seasonal storm drains be completed by June 15. These waterways cause widespread destruction every year during the monsoon season.

The emergency measures were announced as authorities moved to strengthen preparedness ahead of the expected rains and the threat of flooding in low-lying parts of the city.