Rawalpindi boosts flood readiness

RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi divisional administration has approved a flood relief and rescue plan for the monsoon season and placed all relevant departments on red alert, as authorities move to prepare for possible urban flooding, overflowing streams and other rain-related emergencies.

The plan was cleared at a high-level meeting chaired by Commissioner Aamir Khattak. Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema, deputy commissioners from all six districts of the division and senior officials of relevant departments attended the session, where preparedness measures for the coming monsoon were reviewed.

During the meeting, the commissioner directed all district administrations to send detailed assessments of operational requirements and resource needs to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority so that emergency response arrangements could be made in time. He also instructed Rescue 1122 and the Civil Defence Department to hold regular mock exercises to test preparedness and inter-agency coordination.

Authorities were told to keep flood relief camps, emergency control rooms and District Emergency Operations Centres fully operational throughout the monsoon season. The administration was also instructed to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services, food supply, clean drinking water and other essential facilities in the event of an emergency.

Commissioner Khattak further directed the Water and Sanitation Agency, municipal corporations and other departments concerned to complete geo-tagging of all manholes and make sure each one is properly covered to reduce safety hazards. He also ordered comprehensive cleaning of storm drains, drainage networks, sewerage lines and rainwater channels, and called for the immediate removal of encroachments and other obstructions that could block the natural flow of water.

Cantonment board advisory

Separately, the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board issued a monsoon safety advisory asking residents to repair unsafe buildings, vacate structures in dangerous condition and avoid electricity poles, open drains and driving through flowing rainwater.

According to the advisory issued by the cantonment executive officer, people living near Nullah Leh and major drainage channels have been asked to take precautionary steps. Owners of houses and shops that can be repaired have been directed to obtain the board’s permission and carry out immediate repairs to reduce the risk of accidents during the rainy season.

Those living in severely dilapidated buildings have been advised to leave the premises and move to safer places. Residents were also told to treat the advisory as a notice under Section 126 of the Cantonment Act, 1924.

The board said the monsoon season would continue from July 1 to September 15 and urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel during heavy rain, use alternative routes instead of taking vehicles or motorcycles through flowing water, and keep children indoors to help prevent accidents.