TUESDAY’S torrential rains wreaked havoc in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, once again exposing the vulnerability of sister cities and glaring shortcomings of their urban flood management systems. Parts of federal capital appeared to have been turned into streams, with overflowing drains bringing traffic and routine life to a standstill. The situation in Rawalpindi, however, was considerably worse.
The rising level of Nullah Leh once again posed a serious threat to lives and infrastructure. This is not a new phenomenon. Every year, the nullah overflows, causing deaths, displacement and extensive damage, yet a lasting solution remains elusive. The recurrence of the crisis has made it clear that emergency evacuations alone cannot substitute for proper planning and prevention. The Islamabad Expressway, a vital artery, also remained severely choked as sections were inundated. Even housing societies that advertise superior infrastructure, modern amenities and better living standards have failed to adequately account for storm-water management. Unplanned construction, encroachment on natural drainage routes and inadequate maintenance has only aggravated the problem. The authorities must now move beyond temporary measures and adopt a comprehensive urban flood management strategy.
Drainage networks need to be upgraded, storm-water channels regularly cleaned and maintained, and flood management mechanisms strengthened. Illegal construction that obstructs drainage should be dealt with firmly. Innovative solutions should also be explored. Recharge wells on both sides of the Islamabad Expressway and at other chronic water-accumulation points could help absorb excess rainwater, reduce surface inundation and, at the same time, replenish rapidly depleting groundwater table. Tuesday’s flooding should not be treated as another unfortunate monsoon episode. It is a warning that both cities are approaching the limits of their existing infrastructure. The choice is between investing in resilient urban planning now or continuing to pay, year after year, the far greater human and economic cost of urban flooding.
