Rawalpindi:Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Managing Director of the Saleem Ashraf, has given orders to complete the dredging and desilting work of Nullah Leh within 24 hours before the first pre-monsoon rain, expected today (Thursday). Saleem Ashraf, along with the Director of Administration, Omar Farooq, and other officers inspected Nullah Leh and found that over 90 per cent of the dredging and desilting work has been completed. Similarly, the dredging and desilting work of 11 other major and minor Nullahs in Rawalpindi has already been finished.
Omar Farooq, who is the official spokesman, mentioned that the pre-monsoon spell is expected to start from Thursday to Sunday and assured that all necessary arrangements have been made in this regard. Although the deadline to complete the cleanliness work of Nullah Leh is July 14, they are aiming to finish the dredging and desilting work within the next 24 hours.
Furthermore, the concerned department has set up 5 'Flood Relief Camps' in different areas of the city. A total of 32 officials will be on duty at these camps during the monsoon season. The camps are located at Moti Mahal, Liaquat Bagh, Bagh Sardaran, Commercial Market Satellite Town, and Khyaban-e-Sir Syed.
The Managing Director of Wasa issued these directions while inspecting the dredging work of Nullah Leh and operational preparations at Gawalmandi Bridge.
He informed 'The News' that dredging and desilting of Nullah Leh would be completed by today (Thursday). He also mentioned that this year, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted over 30% more rainfall compared to previous years. Therefore, Wasa Rawalpindi has finalised its monsoon plan for 2024, and all necessary arrangements are being made to cope with the upcoming monsoon season. A rain emergency has been declared until September 15, 2024.
In addition, field offices have been established as Flood Response Units at five different places in Rawalpindi: Moti Mahal, Liquat Bagh, Bagh Sardaran, Commercial Market Satellite Town, and Khyaban-e-Sir Syed. WASA's heavy machinery, including eight sucker machines, nine jetting machines, six sewer cleaning rodding machines, 34 dewatering sets, and 29 water bowsers, is in working condition and deployed at these Flood Response Units.
The Commissioner of Rawalpindi Division, Aamir Khattak, mentioned that there is a prediction of 30% more rainfall this year during the monsoon and directed the authorities to complete the dredging and desilting work promptly. He emphasized the full implementation of Section 144 to prevent the dumping of garbage and solid waste in Nullah Leh, warning that strict action will be taken against violators. The commissioner also instructed the Rawalpindi Waste Management Company (RWMC) to clean the drains and improve the sewerage system in the city to avoid any untoward incidents during the monsoon.