In Islamabad, anxiety is high as residents remember the devastating floods in Sector E-11 from three years ago.
The Meteorological Department and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) have issued frequent warnings about above-average rainfall this monsoon, prompting concerns of severe river flooding and urban inundation across Pakistan.
The forecasted heavy rains have amplified fears of a repeat disaster similar to the 2021 floods, which caused significant loss of life and financial damage.
Read more: Rainfall In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Has Claimed 24 Lives And Injured 17 People
Illegal construction blocking natural drainage systems was identified as a major factor contributing to the flooding. Residents have criticized government bodies for failing to prevent these illegal developments.
As the monsoon season reaches its peak, the city administration has divided Islamabad into urban and rural sections to manage the situation better, and is working on clearing drains and preparing dewatering pumps.
The Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) has assembled teams with necessary equipment for emergency response, but citizens continue to blame authorities for not addressing the root causes of flooding, such as unauthorized construction on storm drains.
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) acknowledges that private developers have indeed encroached on storm drains, exacerbating the flooding issues.
