RAWALPINDI: In light of the ‘Special Branch report’ regarding expected heavy rain and flooding in the district, the regional police officer has directed the divisional superintendents of police (SPs) and other officials concerned to take appropriate measures to avert any untoward incident.

The senior superintendent of police of Special Branch had intimated the district administration, police and other authorities earlier this month to take necessary measures to cope with the situation in case of heavy rain in monsoon.

While citing the field survey conducted by the field staff, the authorities concerned in Rawalpindi and Attock had been informed that heavy rains are expected in monsoon, though pre-monsoon rains had already started.

Unusual rains are predicted to fall after the monsoon season, and glaciers may melt, increasing water flow in rivers, drains and nullahs, according to the report.

Special Branch report fears flood in Rawalpindi division, control rooms established

In addition to that, flooding in rivers, water courses, and streams is possible in the Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, and Chakwal districts due to the forecast of heavy rain with hail. In such circumstances, loss of lives and public property cannot be ruled out due to accumulating rainwater in low-lying areas.

While citing previous bad experiences of losses in the adjoining residential areas alongside Leh Nullah, the special branch urged the authorities concerned for special attention towards these areas.

Likewise, in Attock, the residential areas situated alongside the Indus River are badly affected by rains and the fast flowing of water in the river. And it needed urgent attention, said the report.

Control room

It also highlighted the measures taken to cope with the expected flooding in 2023 as the “district disaster management” plan has been finalised. A control room has been established in the office of deputy commissioner Rawalpindi and it would be functioning round the clock.

Right now, 32 ambulances, 18 fire trucks, one control room, 225 life jackets, warning posts, and 25 boats are available with the district administration in Rawalpindi to handle any emergency situation. A mock exercise had already been conducted in Rawal Dam on May 24 to handle the potential flood-like situation. In the light of the mock exercise, all the rescue teams had been put on alert, while all the machinery with WASA and Punjab emergency service, Rescue 1122, had also been made functional.

Besides, the health department has also made available all the medicines required for humans and animals during flooding. Similarly, a directive had been given to establish a control room in Attock, in light of potential floods where 10 boats, 272 life jackets, 20 torches, two rope roles, thirty tents, 10 anti-mosquito nets, 10 plastic mats, and one boat trolley is available. Whereas more types of machinery had been demanded to deal with emergency situations.

The special branch in its report has cited many places in Rawalpindi district where nullahs and streams have been narrowed due to encroachments and makeshift residences. Rainwater usually enters houses located in Ganjmandi’s Gulshanabad, Muhallah Workshop, Mohanpura, katchi abadi located along the nullah, Pirwadhai’s Bangash Colony, Khayaban-i-Sir Syed, Zia Colony, Fauji Colony, Awan Colony, Dhoke Elahi Baksh, Dhoke Khabba and its adjoining areas. Sadiqabad, Civil Lines, Morgah, Airport, Cantt, R.A. Bazaar, Race Course, Westridge, Naseerabad, Sadar Bairooni, Wah Cantt, Gujar Khan, Kahuta and Kallar Syedan areas were also affected during heavy rains, the report indicated.

Following the warning regarding heavy rain and flooding, RPO Syed Khuram Ali directed the CPO, Rawalpindi Division SP, Potohar SP, and Saddar SP to take appropriate measures to avert any untoward incident.

Published in Dawn, June 12th, 2023