The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration has finalised protective arrangements against any flood like situation in the low lying areas of the city.
Constant vigilance would be maintained following these arrangements to combat the flood emergency in the rainy days particularly along the banks of Swan and Korang Rivers, the ICT sources said on Friday.
All departments and agencies have been directed to mobilise all possible efforts and resources in a systematic and integrated manner in order to combat any emergency situation.
“Flood control centres have been constituted at three union councils (UC) of Islamabad, including Tarlai, Bharakau and Sihala in which the secretaries of UCs concerned along with Halqa Patwari and Civil Defence staff would remain available on round the clock basis,” the sources added.
It has been decided to conduct a survey of catchment and rural areas of the city and take effective protective measures in the wake of rains.
A control room, the sources said, has been established at the Deputy Commissioner Office, ICT Administration Complex which will function round the clock.
All the assistant commissioners have been asked to personally visit the areas falling in their respective sub-divisions and identify the down-steam/low attitude areas, including the slum areas and residence along nullahs.
The sources said that relevant directorates of the Islamabad Capital Development Authority would carry out necessary arrangements to deal with situation arisen in case of accumulated water while Pakistan Meteorological Department would inform in advance regarding floods.
The sub-division officers of Rawal and Simly Dams have been asked to remain in close coordination with the Islamabad assistant commissioner and update regarding variation in altitude of water.
The sources said that a portion of few areas which are situated downstream of Swan River (Simly Dam) and Koran River (Rawal Dam) are vulnerable to floods. In addition, the slum areas along nullahs in Sectors F-7, G-6, G-7, G-8, H-9 and I-9 are also being considered vulnerable.
Whenever there are extensive and continuous rains in catchment areas of Simly and Rawal Dams, the excess water which overflows from spillways for these dams causes floods in Swan and Koran River. Thus, high flood in these rivers may affect the low lying areas and disrupt services like water supply, sewerage, power supply, communication and agriculture system in these areas.