Islamabad: Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Muhammad Ali Randhawa, chaired a meeting regarding pre monsoon preparations on Monday at CDA Headquarters .The meeting was attended by CDA Member Administration and Estate Talat Mehmood, Member Environment Esfandyar Baloch, Member Finance Tahir Naeem, Director General (DG) Capital Emergency Services, Director General (DG) Environment, Engineering Wing and officers from Islamabad Administration.

Chairman CDA Muhammad Ali Randhawa said that the purpose of the meeting is to be prepared in advance to deal with emergency like situations during the monsoon. He said that the Capital Emergency Service will play the lead role during the monsoon season. Chairman CDA directed to identify low-lying and areas vulnerable for flooding. He further directed to mark areas and locations which were affected during last monsoon. He said that pre-emptive measures should be proposed keeping in view the experiences of last year.

Briefing the meeting, Director General (DG) Capital Emergency Service apprised that in order to enhance the capacity of Capital Emergency Service personnel, water rescue training for the staff has been conducted by Chinese experts and the Pakistan Navy. Similarly, staff have also been trained to deal with flash flooding situations.

During the briefing, it was informed that the measures taken before the monsoon season include the inspection and availability of flood-fighting equipment, and the initiation of the process for cleaning streams and nullahs. The meeting was informed that the establishment of a Flood Control Room for inter-departmental coordination, identification of low-lying areas, and an effective warning system are among the pre-emptive measures taken regarding the monsoon season. The meeting was further informed that the Capital Emergency Service department has formed a specialized Water Rescue Teams, which will consist of 12 members.

Chairman CDA Muhammad Ali Randhawa directed that illegal encroachments established along streams and nullahs be removed before the monsoon and the availability of equipment including water pumps be ensured to deal with any untoward situation in a timely manner. He said that the availability of dewatering sets should be ensured. He further added that thorough planning and working regarding arrangements before the arrival of monsoon season is extremely essential.