Rawalpindi Division Commissioner Engineer Aamir Khattak on Saturday directed the deputy commissioners of six districts in the division to submit a detailed demand of their requirements and necessary resources to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) to ensure a timely and effective response in any flood emergency. The directive was issued during a meeting on monsoon preparedness held at the Commissioner Office Rawalpindi, chaired by Commissioner Khattak.
Meeting Participants and Districts Involved
The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi Hasan Waqar Cheema, Additional Commissioner Coordination Zenia Humayun, Director Development Syed Nazarat Ali Shah, and heads of other relevant departments. Deputy commissioners of Jhelum, Attock, Chakwal, and Murree participated via video link. The commissioner also included Talagang in the directive, covering all six districts of the division.
Review of Monsoon Arrangements
During the meeting, a detailed review was conducted of the arrangements to deal with potential urban flooding, overflowing of streams (nullahs), and emergency situations during the monsoon rains, according to a press release. Commissioner Khattak instructed Rescue 1122 and Civil Defense to conduct regular mock exercises to practically assess the operational capacity and emergency response systems of all institutions.
Flood Relief and Emergency Operations
He emphasized keeping flood relief camps, emergency control rooms, and district emergency operation centers fully functional, while ensuring the availability of health services, food, clean drinking water, and other basic facilities. The commissioner also directed WASA, Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation, and other relevant agencies to complete the geo-tagging of manholes and ensure that covers are firmly in place.
Urban Flooding and Drainage
He ordered that the thorough cleaning of storm-water drains, drainage systems, sewerage lines, and rainwater channels be guaranteed, and that all types of encroachments and obstacles impeding the flow of water be removed immediately. Commissioner Khattak added that a comprehensive strategy must be adopted to tackle the challenge of urban flooding in city areas, while advance planning should be finalized for the evacuation and relocation of populations in low-lying areas to safer places.
Public Safety Measures
To ensure public safety, the administration will enforce Section 144 to prohibit and discourage bathing and recreational activities in small dams, canals, storm-water streams, and high-flow areas during the monsoon season.
