- Low-lying areas submerged under water, rain spell to continue for the next 48 hours
- SWM Department director says no danger of flooding in Nullah Leh
Rain spell has been continuing intermittently since Monday night in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, while low-lying areas have been submerged in flood waters.
According to details, water levels has started rising in several spots of Nullah Leh. Due to heavy rains on Tuesday, water inundated different avenues of the city, which led to traffic jams for several hours.
The recent rains have exposed the inefficiency of the city administration. The Meteorology Department has said that the rain spell will continue till the next 48 hours. Rain (85 millimeters) was recorded in the area of Shamasabad and 60 millimeters in Chaklala, while 48 millimeters of rain was recorded at Zero Point and 42 millimeters in Saidpur.
However, District Solid and Waste Management Department Director Dr Mazhar Azeem said that Nullah Leh has been cleared of silt and solid waste and there is no danger of flooding in Nullah Leh.
Dr Mazhar said, “Nullah Leh from near the low-lying areas have been cleared of silt and solid waste. Gowalmandi area was focused during the cleanliness drive as it is a densely populated locality.” He said that garbage and filth is thrown in the nullah hampering the flow of water. He informed that City Saddar Road, Dhoke Chiragh Deen, Pirwadhi, New Katrian and Dhoke Naju were also critical areas which have been cleared.
He urged the people to not throw garbage in the nullah to protect the low lying areas from floods. “Shopping bags should not be thrown in Nullah Leh as it leads to blockage of flood water harming the properties and lives of people,” he added.
Meanwhile, the City District Government has made arrangements by setting up special control rooms to monitor floods and flood relief camps to provide relief to the people in case of flash flooding.
Moreover, residents of low lying areas particularly Waris Khan, Glass Factory, Mhoke Mukha Singh State, Dhoke Khaba, Umer Road, Nadeem Colony, Dhoke Elahi Bukush, Arya Mohallah and Javed Colony demanded the higher authorities to take effective measures in minimising the threat of floods.
