The Danger of Nullah Lai in Rawalpindi

Azhar Siddique

Islamabad: While state leaders raise alarms about the growing climate-induced challenges in the country, managing urban flooding and storing water to mitigate the potential impacts of climate-related risks are not government priorities.

According to water experts, effective management of watercourses is crucial for mitigating urban flooding, particularly in cities like Rawalpindi, which faces significant challenges due to its topography and rapid urbanization.

One of the main culprits is Nullah Lai, which flows through the city and often wreaks havoc for residents when it overflows after torrential rains during the monsoon season. This flooding submerges various localities and inflicts millions of rupees in losses on businesses and households.

Stretching a total length of 16 kilometers from Kattarian Bridge to the Soan River near the Lahore High Court’s Rawalpindi bench building, Nullah Lai discharges 600 cusecs of sewage into it daily. However, during heavy rains in the twin cities, its water level can rise to a dangerous height of 18 feet, frequently overflowing into adjacent areas.

“Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Rawalpindi has conducted detailed assessments to identify flood-prone areas, considering factors such as topography, land use, and flood data,” claims Managing Director (MD) WASA, Saleem Ashraf. 

“The capacity of existing drainage systems has been improved by deepening and widening this course to handle excess water.”He stated that the concerned officers ensure routine inspections of Nullah Lai, particularly during the monsoon season, to prevent blockages. “A real-time monitoring system has been installed to track water levels and rainfall. The data is used to predict potential flooding and take proactive measures.”

Ashraf also mentioned the launch of an awareness campaign for citizens on proper waste disposal, emphasizing the involvement of local communities in flood management efforts, cleanup drives, and watercourse management. “A flood response plan has also been formulated for evacuation, emergency services, and recovery efforts during each monsoon season.”

As heavy monsoon seasons consistently lead to urban flooding, District Administration representative Engineer Aamir Khattak emphasized the efforts by various departments to mitigate the risk and impact of such flooding. 

“The dredging and de-silting project for Nullahs, particularly Nullah Lai, was completed before the start of this monsoon. Additionally, Section 144 was imposed to prevent garbage dumping in nullahs, and the 11 main nullahs of Rawalpindi that feed into Nullah Lai were also cleaned.”

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He noted that special attention was given to low-lying areas, including Rattaamral, Kattarian, Tippu Road, Dhoke Naju, Gawalmandi, and Zia ul Haq Colony, with heavy machinery and personnel deployed in various locations to ensure proper drainage of stagnant rainwater. 

“The Punjab government has also directed the district administration to take adequate measures against potential urban flooding during the monsoon.”

However, despite these initiatives and the assurances from authorities, Rawalpindi residents once again faced significant urban flooding during the recent monsoon season. Many are now calling for the long-awaited Ammar Chowk to Pindora Nullah Lai Expressway project to be initiated.

“The Nullah Lai Expressway project could prove to be a game changer, easing traffic congestion and helping to control flash flooding during the monsoon,” said Muhammad Asif, a resident of the Gawalmandi area.

Mushtaq Ahmed, a resident of the Committee Chowk area, emphasized the need for long-term corrective measures, pointing to the damage caused by recent flooding. “This year’s monsoon once again inundated houses and marketplaces. The downpour, which lashed the city for almost four hours, prompted the administration to summon the Army to deal with the situation.”Low-lying areas were submerged as rainwater flooded houses and shops on Iqbal Road, in Sabzi Mandi, Moti Bazaar, and adjoining areas, Mushtaq noted. “The back-to-back rain spells exposed the inadequacies of civic agencies, as many areas bore the brunt of the heavy downpour.”

He highlighted the impact on areas like Allahabad, Misrial Road, Tench Bhatta, Lane 4, and Peshawar Road, where urban flooding caused damage to goods, households, and vehicles worth millions of rupees in Mochi Bazaar, Bohar Bazaar, Sadiqabad, and along Jamia Masjid Road.

Shahid Ghafoor Paracha, President of the Rawalpindi Traders Association, also referenced the havoc wrought by rainwater in Raja Bazaar and neighboring markets, including Moti and Mochi bazaars. “Therefore, the Nullah Lai should be properly cleared before the start of the monsoon.”

He explained that numerous nullahs and streams flowing from Islamabad merge into Nullah Lai, in addition to 11 other nullahs along its 11-kilometer course through Rawalpindi city before it joins the Soan River. “The authorities must take all of this into account when formulating any future strategy,” he concluded.

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Every year, a flood-like situation develops in the Nullah due to a faulty sewerage system. The city experienced unprecedented flooding on July 23, 2001, when 620 mm of rain fell in just four hours, resulting in the loss of at least 35 lives and the destruction of many slums.

Historical records indicate that floods in the Nullah Lai Basin occur during the monsoon season (July to September) when the country receives rainfall from three weather systems. As the Nullah Lai Basin lies within the twin cities, most of its active flow passes through the urban areas of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

While the Rawalpindi district administration has implemented some measures—such as straightening and widening certain reaches of the Nullah, stone pitching in some sections, and removing garbage—these occasional efforts have proven insufficient.

Therefore, the respective governments and relevant departments must adopt a comprehensive strategy to address this problem once and for all. It is crucial to ensure that city residents, especially those in low-lying areas, are protected from the recurrence of the situations they have faced in recent years.

The feature report was released by APP on September 29th, 2024.