RAWALPINDI: Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) on Monday started cleaning Leh Nullah and 11 big drains in the city to avoid flood-like situation in the garrison city during the upcoming monsoon season.

The cleanliness of Leh Nullah will cost Rs80 million while the desilting of 11 drains, Rs70 million.

Talking to Dawn, Wasa spokesperson Umer Farooq said the first phase would be completed by June 30 as the government wanted to complete work without any further delay.

He said there were reports that the upcomingmonsoonwould beaggressive and there was a dire need to remove dirt and any other obstacle that hindered the smooth flow of rainwater from the capital city and adjoiningnullahs.

Mr Farooq said the drive had startedin May and wouldbecompleted by the end of June, adding that dredgingwould improve the flow of water by up to two feet.

He said the target wouldbeachieved within the stipulated timeline.“Apart from LehNullah dredging, Wasa also launched workto desilt 11 big drains in the garrison city before the advent of monsoon,” he added.

The Wasa spokesperson said work had started at three points including Kattarian, Pirwadhai and Gawalmandi in Leh Nullah.

He said 19 points in Leh Nullah were vulnerable and would be removed in the first phase, adding that in the second phase, work would continue from July to September.

About the drains, he said work had started on I.J.Principal Road, Committee Chowk, Naz Cinema, Jadeed Graveyard, Dhoke Khabba and Shah Nazar bridge. He said there was a ban on dumping of garbage and construction material waste on the banks of Leh Nullah and “we would take action and seal the truck or vehicle found dumping solid waste on the banks”.

The last flood that the Lehwitnessed was on July 23, 2001. Within a few hours, Rawalpindi received 620mm of rain, which caused the worst floods in the city’s history. Thirty-five people lost their lives while many slums were swept away resulting in financial loss worth millions.

If heavy rains occurred in the twin cities, water level at Leh Nullah would increase by 18 feet, touching the dangerous level mark. Leh Nullah was full of hundreds of thousands of polythene bags that adversely affect water flow.

Leh Nullah has a length of about 30km, stretching from the federal capital to Rawalpindi. Besides, 11 bignullahs of the city also discharged intoLehNullahfrom different areas, while Leh joins Soan River near Lahore High Court Rawalpindibench.

Published in Dawn, May 27th, 2025