Islamabad is bracing itself for potential flooding as the Meteorological Department and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issue repeated alerts about above-normal rainfall during this year’s monsoon season. The traumatic memories of the 2021 floods in Sector E-11, which resulted in two deaths and financial damages amounting to crores of rupees, still haunt citizens.
The primary cause of the devastation was illegal constructions obstructing natural drainage systems, which citizens blame on government institutions for not effectively curbing these activities. With monsoon rains at their peak, citizens express growing concerns over the alerts and fear a repeat of the 2021 floods if adequate measures are not enforced.
The city administration has divided Islamabad into urban and rural sections for better management and undertaken pre-monsoon efforts to clean drains and prepare dewatering pumps. The Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) director stated that teams are on standby with necessary equipment, and emergency patrolling has been initiated.
However, citizens blame authorities for allowing illegal constructions that exacerbate flooding. They claim that despite the flooding risks, no preventive measures have been taken, and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) continues to collect taxes without addressing the real issues. CDA has conceded that some developers of private housing schemes have encroached upon storm drains, causing blockages.
As rapidly changing weather conditions pose a threat, citizens are preparing for potential floods. The city’s administration must take concrete steps to address the concerns of citizens and prevent a repeat of the 2021 floods.
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