Rawalpindi Prepares for Pre-Monsoon Flooding

As the pre-monsoon season begins, the Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation, Rawalpindi District Council, and Evacuee Trust Property Board have issued final red notices to evacuate 285 multi-storey buildings across the district, ordering the removal of 70% of the city's population and commercial areas from flood-prone zones. The district administration has imposed a ban on dumping waste in stormwater drains, and residents are relocating valuables to safer locations. Joint full-dress rehearsals are being conducted to deal with potential flooding, and temporary Civil Defence warden posts have been activated in low-lying areas.

Key Takeaways:

• 285 multi-storey buildings across Rawalpindi, over 100 years old, have been ordered to be evacuated due to the risk of collapse during rainfall.
• The Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation, Rawalpindi District Council, and Evacuee Trust Property Board have issued final red notices, some for the second time, ordering evacuation.
• A ban on dumping garbage, building material, and other waste into the 22-km-long Nullah Leh and 15 stormwater drains has been imposed by Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqar Cheema.
• Residents of low-lying areas along Nullah Leh are relocating valuables, including jewelry, refrigerators, and sofas, to safer locations.
• Joint full-dress rehearsals are being conducted by the Civil Defence Department, District Administration, and the 111 Brigade in low-lying areas near Rawal Dam.
• Fifteen temporary Civil Defence warden posts have been activated in low-lying areas.
• The district council has warned building owners that structures not vacated will be demolished.
• Three tenants have challenged the notices in court, and the court has issued notices to the district council and the chief officer of the municipal corporation to submit responses.
• The district administration has directed residents to move valuables to safer locations, including Nadeem Colony and Javed Colony.
• The Evacuee Trust Property Board has served evacuation notices to tenants of both commercial and domestic properties in various bazaars, including Raja Bazaar and Sarafa Bazaar.

Statistics:

• 285 multi-storey buildings ordered to be evacuated
• 70% of the city's population and commercial areas affected by flooding
• 22-km-long Nullah Leh where dumping of waste is banned
• 15 stormwater drains where dumping of waste is banned
• 15 temporary Civil Defence warden posts activated
• July 1 to September 15: officially declared flood season in Rawalpindi
• 100 years old: age of buildings ordered to be evacuated

Sources:

• Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation
• Rawalpindi District Council
• Evacuee Trust Property Board
• The News International
• Dawn News