Secretary Housing reviews flood management measures along Nullah Lai

RAWALPINDI, Sep 07 (APP):Secretary Housing Punjab Noorul Amin Mengal on Monday visited various points along Nullah Lai and reviewed the flood situation and proposed measures to protect urban areas from flood risks during heavy monsoon rains. Managing Director WASA Rawalpindi Azizullah Khan briefed him on WASA's monsoon response operations and arrangements for drainage and flood management. The MD WASA said 201 millimetres of rainfall had been recorded in Rawalpindi in a single day during the recent monsoon spell, resulting in a rapid increase in water flow in the catchment areas of Nullah Lai. He said rainwater from catchment areas of Islamabad also contributed to the flood situation in Rawalpindi, adding that WASA teams remained on high alert and heavy machinery and field teams had been deployed in various low-lying areas for immediate drainage. Azizullah Khan said WASA had utilised all available resources to ensure timely drainage of rainwater and protect citizens from flooding. Mengal directed the concerned authorities to formulate appropriate proposals for flood management, drainage and safety measures along and around Nullah Lai. He stressed the need for an effective strategy to protect citizens from flood situations during heavy rainfall in the future, saying protection of lives and property was among the top priorities of the Punjab government. The Secretary Housing appreciated the monsoon field response and efforts of WASA in dealing with the recent heavy rains.