CDGR takes steps to avoid flood catastrophe

City District Government Rawalpindi (CDGR) has imposed section 144 in Rawalpindi city in view of the danger of the flood in Nullah Lai, imposed complete ban on swimming in the Nullah besides put all institutions on high alert to meet any untoward situation.
More than 300 fully trained personnel of the Rescue 1122 are in the state of preparedness to cope with any situation arising after flood in the Nullah Lai, said Raja Javed Ikhlas, City District Nazim Rawalpindi.
"We have made all necessary arrangements to meet any challenging situation due to flood in rainy season spanning on 90 days from July 1 to September 30", Ikhlas said while talking to reporters during his visit to low lying areas of Rawalpindi.
He said that all the source nullahs of Lai were cleaned to make sure the smooth sailing of water in rainy season and avoid the flood like situation in the city. More than 80 percent of cleaning was completed which would help release the rainwater within very short time, he added. Nazim expressed hope that as a result of the proper arrangements and preparedness the men and material loss due to flood would be very low as compared to previous floods.
He said that all the concerned departments including TMAs, Rescue 1122, Meteorological Department, Police, Revenue Department, Civil Defence, Sui Gas and departments of Rawalpindi Cantonment Board were put on high alert and directed to make sure the prompt response in case of any emergency in low lying areas.
He said that a task force was constituted to keep an eye vigil on water level in Lai, which would be assisted by flood control system installed in the city. The task force would be responsible for making arrangements to evacuate people in low laying areas, he said adding that Civil Defence Department, Town Municipal Officer, Fire Brigade and Rescue -1122 would be attached with task force. Nazim said that 11 flood relief camps were set up at different parts of the Rawalpindi to accommodate the evacuated people during flood. People in these camps would be provided food and other necessary commodities.
Medical camps were also set up in flood relief centers as well as different vicinities of the city to avoid any untoward situation during monsoon spell. Doctors and paramedic staff along with medicines would be available round the clock in these camps.