In the approach of pre-monsoon season, authorities in Rawalpindi have got tougher to avoid possible disasters by serving final eviction notices—some for the second time—to the residents of 285 hundred-year-old multi-storey buildings in the district. These buildings are highly vulnerable to leaking and collapse during monsoon rains.
The Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC), the District Council, the cantonment boards, and the Evacuee Trust Property Board are carrying out the evacuation operation.
Most of these structures, dating from the British and Hindu periods, are found in the overcrowded parts of the old city.
As a precaution against potential flooding, residents of Nullah Leh have started relocating items of value—like jewelry, furniture, and appliances—to more secure areas. Some households have already initiated temporary relocation processes.
To further enhance preparedness, the Civil Defence Department, district administration, and the 111 Brigade are going to stage combined flood-response drills next week.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast pre-monsoon rains next week, which has put residents living close to stormwater channels on high alert. Acting on their concerns, 15 temporary Civil Defence shelters have been established in high-risk areas.
Rawalpindi suffers from massive damage every year both during monsoon and pre-monsoon seasons, with approximately 70 percent of its residential and commercial areas engulfed by flooding.
A number of residents have lodged legal petitions against the evacuation notice. The court requested the district council and the chief officer of RMC to file formal replies.
At the same time, District Civil Defence Officer Talib Hussain certified that arrangements for the flood-response exercises have been made final. The official flood season in Rawalpindi will start on July 1 and last till September 15.
