RAWALPINDI:
The government has decided to release flood funds of Rs 154.53 million for complete desilting and cleaning of Nullah Leh and 15 storm water drains to protect the city from monsoon-related devastation.
Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Rawalpindi has requested immediate funds of Rs84.53 million from the government to protect the city from expected above-normal and potentially devastating monsoon rains this year. The funds will be used to expand, clean and deepen Nullah Leh, which spans a catchment area of 239.8 square kilometers.
Currently, heaps of garbage, construction waste and garbage dumped during the year have formed mounds at several places in Nullah Leh, raising the bed. Authorities have warned that failure to carry out complete cleaning, dredging and widening this year could result in catastrophic flooding.
The flood season for Nullah Leh runs from June 15 to September 15 and the district administration has officially declared this period as flood season for the drain and 15 other rainwater channels across the city.
The municipal corporation will undertake cleaning of the 15 storm drains and has been allocated Rs 70 million. for the purpose. WASA has received a formal letter from the Punjab government and the Chief Minister’s Secretariat regarding the release of funds which are expected to be disbursed in the first ten days of April.
The catchment area of Nullah Lai extends over the entire city and cantonment area. The Leh Expressway project, once initiated in 2008 by then President General Pervez Musharraf at an estimated cost of Rs.17 billion, has been shelved due to lack of funds. The project cost has now escalated to around Rs 70 billion.
Water in Nullah Leh originates from three mountain ranges in Islamabad, while sewage from Rawalpindi Cantonment and rainwater also flows into it. Floods have historically occurred between July and September since 1967.
The drain is heavily polluted with garbage, waste and polluted sewage, which poses an environmental risk to the residents. Illegal dumping has narrowed its cross-section, obstructing the natural flow. During dry seasons, reduced water flow leads to accumulation of solid debris, forming small islands that must be removed to ensure steady flow during the monsoon.
WASA has proposed Rs84.53 million for this year, including Rs50 million as additional monsoon funds and Rs34.53 million for clearing outstanding liabilities.
Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi said the government will fully support WASA in flood prevention efforts and ensure the provision of all necessary funds for cleaning, widening and deepening operations, which will be completed by June 30.
