Rawalpindi:The water level in Nullah Leh surged to an alarming level of 23 feet at Katarian and 20 feet at Gawalmandi because of heavy rainfall here on Thursday.
The Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Aamir Khattak appreciated the performance of Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA). Majority of low-lying areas were cleared from rainwater while traffic was smooth on all roads. The low-lying areas including Marrir Chowk to Chandni Chowk on Murree Road, leaving vast section of the main thoroughfare submerged. Streets in Dhok Kala Khan, Nadeem Colony, Javed Colony, Shakrial, and Sadiqabad were also affected. Mukha Singh Estate, Hazara Colony and Cantt areas also affected.
The water level in Nullah Leh has started coming down. At Katarian, the water level has gone down to 14 feet and at Gawalmandi to 17 feet, spokesperson WASA said. Drainage of water from low-lying areas of Rawalpindi has been completed, Traffic is normal in Rawalpindi, water is not standing anywhere, spokesperson said. The Meteorological Department has forecast more rains. WASA has completed arrangements in view of further rain forecast, he said.
Staff leave has been cancelled and machinery has been put on alert, spokesman claimed. The commissioner, deputy commissioner Rawalpindi along with elected representatives visited Nullah Leh. He reviewed the situation of drains from Gawalmandi and Pirwdhai Bridge. Inspected the water situation in Nullah Leh due to late night rain. On the instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif they have visited Nullah Leh, PML-N elected representatives said.
The measures taken by the Rawalpindi district administration to deal with the flood situation, including the cleaning of the Nullah Leh are commendable Member National Assembly Tahira Aurangzeb appreciated the performance of WASA. Officers and staff have already been deployed at 19 distribution points including Nullah Leh, Commissioner Rawalpindi Aamir Khattak said.
DC Hasan Waqar Cheema said that all institutions are on alert. The leaves of the officers and personnel of all the concerned institutions have been cancelled. WASA Managing Director Saleem Ashraf said that I have deployed staff all around Nullah Leh and low-lying areas. “We are ready to face any kind of emergency situation, he said.