Pakistan: Provinces asked to remove encroachments in river waterways

By Fawad Yousafzai

ISLAMABAD — In view of the extreme flood forecast in the upcoming monsoon season, the Federal government has asked the provinces for the immediate removal of the encroachments in the floodplains of river water ways through enactment of River Act.

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[Federal Minister for Water Resources Faisal Vawda] said that there is dire need to remove the encroachments in the floodplains of river water ways through enactment of River Act and its strict enforcement by the provinces to reduce the losses to the public and private properties and precious human lives from likely floods in the coming monsoon season.

Vawda noted with concern that the encroachments in the river waterways besides major Nullahs by the masses in provinces are so frequent and in such magnitude that even the low floods create havoc in the communities the recent example of this is the case of 105,000 cusecs outflow from Jhelum River at Mangla.

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In view of forecast of rains and expected urban flooding, the provinces were advised to be fully vigilant and clear all storm drains in cities and towns especially in cities like Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Islamabad etc.