Meteorological Department and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued repeated alerts about more than normal rainfall during this year's monsoon, citizens across the country are bracing themselves for the risk of severe river flooding and urban inundation.
The anxiety is palpable, especially in the federal capital, where the traumatic memories of the catastrophic flooding in Sector E-11 three years ago still linger.
The torrential downpours predicted for this monsoon season have heightened fears of a repeat of the disastrous floods of 2021.
In Sector E-11, the floods led to the tragic loss of two lives and caused financial damages amounting to crores of rupees.
Illegal constructions on natural drainage
The primary culprit behind the devastation was illegal constructions obstructing the natural drainage systems.
The citizens of Islamabad blamed relevant government institutions for not effectively curbing these illegal activities.
As monsoon rains are at their peak, the citizens of Islamabad express their growing concerns over the alerts from the Meteorological Department and NDMA.
Many recall the harrowing floods of 2021 and fear that the situation might recur if adequate measures are not enforced.
The city administration has divided Islamabad into urban and rural sections for better management and has undertaken pre-monsoon efforts to clean drains and prepare dewatering pumps.
‘Teams are on standby’
The Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) director stated that teams are on standby with necessary equipment, and emergency patrolling has been initiated.
However, citizens blame the authorities for allowing illegal constructions that exacerbate flooding.
One citizen told SAMAA TV that rain water flowing from the mountains and through E-11 has always been an issue. “The CDA should have intervened, but they didn't as housing societies keep narrowing the drains and making plots,” he added.
The citizen said despite the flooding risks, no preventive measures have been taken. Instead, the CDA continues to collect taxes without addressing the real issues.
Capital Development Authority (CDA) has conceded that some developers of private housing schemes have indeed encroached upon storm drains, causing blockages.
These "china cuttings" have been a significant factor in the recurrent flooding problems. Rapidly changing weather conditions, citizens preparing for potential floods.
