BANKS MAY BURST: Torrential rains and high floods cause severe soil erosion along the banks of Nullah Leh in Rawalpindi. PHOTO: EXPRESs
RAWALPINDI:
Off-season torrential monsoon rains and flooding in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad have triggered severe land erosion along the banks of the 18-kilometre-long Nullah Leh, leaving several residential areas just 12 to 15 feet away from the eroded banks and raising fears of a major disaster.
Near the Nullah Leh bridge at Gawalmandi, erosion has advanced up to 20 feet towards residential areas. In several areas, only 12 to 15 feet of land remains between the nullah and nearby houses.
Erosion along the stormwater drains has also caused a wall of a house in Dhoke Elahi Bakhsh to collapse into the nullah. Further rains and flooding could intensify the erosion and cause severe destruction in settlements along Nullah Leh.
The erosion has triggered fear and panic among residents living near Nullah Leh and other stormwater drains. Severe erosion has been witnessed around the Gawalmandi Bridge, City Saddar Road Bridge, Jhanda Chichi and Dhoke Chiragh Din Bridge.
Erosion has also started around the Pirodhai Nullah Leh Bridge, Dhoke Hasu and Dhoke Dalal areas.
The erosion intensified due to torrential rains from September 1 to 4. The floodwaters have also damaged the concrete embankment along the Liaquat Road side of Nullah Leh near Gawalmandi Bridge at several points.
The stretch of Nullah Leh between Gawalmandi Bridge and City Saddar Road Bridge, covering around two furlongs, has a large number of vehicle workshops and factories making wooden charpoys on both sides, besides a densely populated area.
The ongoing erosion could cause a major disaster at any time, residents fear.
Residents of nearby areas have demanded that the government and deputy commissioner immediately stop the erosion and construct concrete embankments along Nullah Leh in the affected areas. Besides Nullah Leh, erosion has also started along the banks of 15 stormwater drains flowing through the city, prompting residents to seek immediate intervention.
Residents near Gawalmandi Bridge, including Iftikharuddin, Shahbaz Ali and Mahmood Khan, told The Express Tribune that erosion had previously been limited but accelerated following the devastating rain and flooding on September 1.
They said erosion had reached 20 feet at several points, while in most areas it was between five and 10 feet. In some areas, the erosion has also narrowed passageways.
Deputy Commissioner Nadeem Nasir has taken notice of the erosion and ordered immediate measures to stop it. Large concrete stones are being brought to the banks of Nullah Leh to control the erosion. Preventive work will begin once the ground dries.
