KARACHI, June 13: The Defence Housing Authority (DHA) has finalized rain emergency plan for DHA and Clifton Cantonment Board areas to combat any emergency arising in case of heavy rains during the forthcoming monsoon season.

A meeting was held in DHA Main Office here on Tuesday to review the strategy for effective implementation of the plan.

DHA Administrator Brig Maqsood Hussain underlined the need for imaginative and advanced planning, allocation of adequate resources and intricate preparations to ensure effective drainage of rain and sewage.

The rain emergency plan envisages establishment of two rain control centres in DHA/Clifton Board to work round-the-clock during the rainy season for effective monitoring and prompt attendance of public complaints.

Earlier Major (retd ) Javaid Munawwar, Deputy Director (Services) DHA informed the meeting about details of preparatory works done by DHA/CBC in connection with rain emergency.

He said that CBC has cleaned all storm-water drains and Nullahs while de-silting of sewerage pumping station and cleaning of manholes and choked sewerage lines in DHA has been completed. He said that sufficient equipment and requisite manpower have been earmarked area-wise to ensure smooth de-watering operation.

The equipment earmarked includes suction pumps, sewerage bowsers, turbines, mobile hydrants, cess pools and streetlight vehicles.

A Rain Control Centre has been established at DHA Main Office, which would work to ensure speedy and effective de-watering in areas of DHA Ph-I, Ph-II Extn and Ph-IV. Major ( R ) Javaid Munawwar would be the office in-charge.

The residents could contact on telephone Nos 5886412, 03008295568, 5886401 and 5886402 during rain emergency.

The second Control Centre would be run under Cantonment Board Clifton to cater for the areas of DHA Ph-V, Ph-V Extension, Ph-VI, Ph-VII, Ph-VII Extension and all Katchi Abadies in the jurisdiction of Clifton Cantonment Board. The residents can contact on telephone nos 58843221, 03002234795, 5847830-1 and 5844824 for any help during the rainy season.—PPI