RAWALPINDI:
The government has decided to release flood funds amounting to Rs 154.53 million for complete de-silting and cleaning of Nullah Leh and 15 storm drains to protect the city from monsoon-related ravages.
The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Rawalpindi has requested immediate funds of Rs 84.53 million from the government to protect the city from the above-normal and potentially destructive monsoon rains expected this year. The funds will be used to widen, clean and deepen Nullah Leh, which covers a catchment area of 239.8 square kilometers.
Currently, piles of garbage, construction debris and waste dumped throughout the year have formed mounds at several places in Nullah Leh, raising the bed level. Authorities have warned that failure to carry out a complete cleanup, deepening and widening this year could lead to catastrophic flooding.
The flood season in Nullah Leh is from June 15 to September 15, and the district administration has officially declared this period as the flood season for the drain and 15 other stormwater channels across the city.
The Municipal Corporation will undertake cleaning of 15 storm drains and has received Rs 70 million for the purpose. WASA has received an official 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 town and cantonment. The Leh Expressway project, launched in 2008 by then President General Pervez Musharraf at an estimated cost of Rs 17 billion, was abandoned due to lack of funds. The cost of the project now stands at around Rs70 billion.
Nullah Leh’s water comes from three hill ranges of Islamabad, while rawalpindi cantonment sewage and rainwater also flow into it. Floods have historically occurred between July and September since 1967.
The drain is heavily polluted with garbage, debris and untreated sewage, posing environmental hazards to residents. Illegal dumping has narrowed its cross-section, obstructing natural flow. During dry seasons, reduced water flow results in accumulation of solid waste, forming small islands that must be removed to ensure smooth flow during the monsoon.
WASA has proposed Rs 84.53 million for this year, including Rs 50 million as additional monsoon funds and Rs 34.53 million to clear outstanding debts.
Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi said the government will fully support WASA in its flood prevention efforts, ensuring the provision of all necessary funds for the cleaning, widening and deepening operations, which will be completed before June 30.
