ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI: The Met Office and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) have warned of moderate to heavy rainfall in the next 24 hours that could lead to urban flooding in the twin cities.

Also on Tuesday, the caretaker Punjab government placed all concerned departments on pre-monsoon alert after predictions of heavy rainfall.

“We are expecting a heavy downpour that could measure between 45mm and 50mm in the twin cities. In case the spell persists and the downpour is prolonged, there could be urban flooding,” Meteorological Department Director Dr Khalid Malik said.

The NDMA has predicted scattered wind, thunderstorms and rain with isolated heavy spells over the upper catchments of all major rivers along Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sargodha, Sahiwal, Multan and D.G. Khan divisions.

In a statement, the authority said the Kabul River in Nowshera was at low flood levels and all the other major rivers are flowing at normal levels. Low to medium-level flooding is expected in the nullahs of the Ravi and Chenab rivers and urban flooding in the Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Lahore and Sargodha divisions on July 3 and 4.

Caretaker Punjab Minister for Local Government and Community Development Zafar Mahmood reviewed arrangements for flood-like situations during a visit to Rawalpindi.

He was informed by Commissioner retired Capt Saif Anjum that cleaning and de-silting of all 11 nullahs in the city that fall in Leh Nullah is ongoing and will be completed soon.

The cleaning is focused on vulnerable areas such as Dhoke Naju, Ziaul Haq Colony, both sides of Ratta Bridge, Bhosa Godown, Mohanpura near Jinnah Road Bridge, Javaid Colony, Tipu Road, Chamanzar Colony, Nadeem Colony, Dhoke Chiraghdin, New Phagwari, Mohallah Raja Sultan, Gawalmandi and Dhoke Ellahi Buksh.

City Saddar Road to Gawalmandi, Pirwadhai Bridge to Ratta, Katarian Bridge to Phakwari and Pirwadhai Bridge have been cleaned using excavators and dumpers.

Rescue 1122 has also finalised all its arrangements, while a comprehensive plan to prevent flooding in Leh Nullah and other nullahs in the city has been devised to mitigate flood damage.

Published in Dawn, July 4th, 2018