RAWALPINDI: The district administration on Thursday asked the Rawalpindi Waste Management Company (RWMC) and Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) to prepare a joint contingency plan in two days to ensure wastes of sacrificial animals are not dumped in Leh Nullah during Eidul Azha days.

Additional Commissioner (Coordination) Saif Anwar Jappa along with Deputy Commissioner Tahir Farooq chaired a meeting to review the pre-flood arrangements.

Mr Jappa directed Wasa to ensure cleaning of 11 drains and big nullahs to avoid flooding during the monsoon season.

In addition, he said special focus should be paid to improve the sewerage system throughout the city.

“Cleaning of drains should also be done so that in case of heavy rains, the system can run smoothly,” he said.

Moreover, Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation should ensure that there was no encroachment on banks of Leh Nullah.

He directed the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) to keep its alert system updated and people informed of the situation in a timely manner in case of heavy rains.

The deputy commissioner also directed RWMC and Wasa to present their joint contingency plan in two days to ensure cleaning of the banks of Leh Nullah from offal and animal waste.

He directed Wasa to form a team which will seal critical points after clearing them so that people cannot repeat this practice.

Wasa was also directed to install trackers in its vehicles so that their route and work could be monitored.

In addition, other areas where the risk of flooding is high such as Rata Amral, Katarian, Tipu Road and Gowalmandi should be given special attention.

Published in Dawn, July 1st, 2022