Lahore: The Punjab Water and Sanitation Authority has directed all five Water and Sanitation Agencies (WASAs) of the province to complete their monsoon preparedness by May 31, 2025. This step has been taken to ensure preparedness ahead of the monsoon season expected from mid-June.
In a performance review meeting held recently, Director General of the Punjab Water and Sanitation Authority Tayyab Farid stressed the importance of cleaning sewer lines and drains, repairing heavy machinery, setting up monsoon camps, and staff training exercises. Further, the identification of low-lying areas was also directed to be completed on priority.
WASA Rawalpindi Managing Director Mohammad Saleem Ashraf said that the cleaning of sewerage lines in the city is underway and will be completed before the stipulated time. He said that WASA has all heavy machinery, including suction machines, jetting machines, and dewatering sets, in working condition.
In addition, five monsoon camps will be set up in Rawalpindi city, which will work 24 hours during the rain. A control room is also being set up at the WASA headquarters office for timely redressal of citizen grievances.
In Rawalpindi, a joint plan has been made to clean 11 km of Leh nullah, 13 seasonal nullahs, and all sewer lines before the monsoon, which includes WASA, the District Council, the Rawalpindi Waste Management Company (RWMC), and Cantonment Boards. These institutions will be funded out of the Rs 20 crore allocated for sanitation activities.
The deputy commissioner has banned the dumping of garbage or construction material in the drains, and the police have been directed to register FIRs against the violators.
In Faisalabad too, WASA has been directed to complete desilting of drains and sewerage channels before the monsoon. Director General Tayyab Farid stressed the need to use all available resources to ensure effective and prompt drainage.
These proactive efforts of WASA in various cities of Punjab are being undertaken to mitigate the risks of the monsoon season and ensure public safety.
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