Operational preparations for monsoon reviewed

Rawalpindi

On special directions of Chief Minister Punjab, Secretary Housing Urban Development and Public Health Engineering Department Government of the Punjab Captain (r) Muhammad Khurram Agha visited Rawalpindi for inspection of dredging/desilting of Nullah Leh and operational preparations of WASA before start of monsoon.

Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Managing Director Raja Shaukat Mahmood while briefing told that dredging/desilting of Nullah Leh has been completed and all necessary arrangements are being made to cope with upcoming monsoon.

This year Water and Sanitation Agency has dredged out more than 1.5 million cubic feet of solid waste and garbage from Nullah Leh at different points i.e. Katarian, Phagwari, Dhoke Dalal, Rata, Gawalmandi and Rialto Chowk bridge and the same has been transported outside the city.

Water and Sanitation Agency MD added that Pakistan Metrological Department (PMD) has issued heavy rainfall warning during coming monsoon and to cope with the anticipated flood situation, WASA has chalked out a comprehensive plan in which leaves of operational stall/field staff have been cancelled and will remain on high alert until September 30.

He also briefed about the establishment of Flood Response Units which are made functional at four different places in Rawalpindi at Moti Mahal, Liquat Bagh, Bagh Sardaran and Khyaban-e-Sir Syed.

Heavy machinery of Water and Sanitation Agency including Sucker Machines, Jetting Machines, Sewer Cleaning Rodding Machines, Dewatering sets and water boozers are in working condition and deployed at these Flood Response Units.

Secretary Housing inspected WASA machinery/equipment and arrangements for upcoming monsoon at Liaquat Bagh flood response unit.

He also visited Nullah Leh at Gawalmandi and Rialto Chowk bridge to witness dredging/desilting work and showed his satisfaction.

In the end he directed Water and Sanitation Agency MD to remain alert during the rainy season and all the machinery/equipment should be in operational condition.

He also said that all possible resources should be made available to the people during any flood like situation.