ISLAMABAD: The capital administration on Monday banned swimming, boating and fishing in dams, rivers and nullahs for the next two months.

Administration officials told Dawn that rainfall in the capital as well as water flowing into the city from upper parts of the country has filled the dams, rivers and nullahs in the capital. With dams at capacity, their spillways are being opened regularly to discharge excess water, they said.

The discharged water can flood rivers and nullahs in the capital, they said, and water discharged from dams such as Rawal Dam also leads to an outflow of fish from the spillways.

Many locals and fish vendors wait downstream to catch these fish, which is dangerous, the officials said, as the water that gushes into rivers and nullahs can endanger people who may be swimming, boating or fishing in these areas.

Opening of spillways to discharge excess water could endanger people

Separate orders issued by the office of the deputy commissioner said that individuals have been indulging in boating, swimming and fishing in Rawal Dam, Simly Dam, Soan River, Korang Nullah and other nullahs in Islamabad, which is extremely dangerous and incidents of drowning have also been reported in this regard.

The orders said that this is sufficient grounds for proceedings under section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The ban will come into force immediately and remain in place for two months.

Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Hamza Shafqaat said that Rawal Dam’s spillways were opened to 1.5 feet on Monday at 11am to discharge 6,000 cusecs of water. The capacity of the dam is 1,758ft, and the water reached 1,751.9ft, he said.

The capacity of Simly Dam is 2,315.05ft, and the dam’s spillways were opened 1ft at 6am after water reached 2,315ft. The spillways were opened to 2ft in the afternoon, he added.

Rawalpindi’s administration and residents of low-lying areas in the capital have also been informed about the opening of the spillways so they may take precautions, Mr Shafqaat said. People should stay away from rivers and nullahs to prevent any mishaps, he said.

He said announcements have been made in this regard for mosques to inform residents of low-lying areas and those who live near rivers and nullahs about the ban, while official teams that include rescue workers are also present and monitoring the situation to take measures if necessary, including vacating the areas.

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2020