Nullah Leh Overhaul Fast-Tracked After Deadly Monsoon

RDA plans drain widening, CDA targets illegal structures over stormwater channels

Rawalpindi – The Rawalpindi administration sprang into action on Monday as unprecedented monsoon rains swelled Nullah Leh to dangerous levels, inundating low-lying neighborhoods and triggering emergency measures. At Gawalmandi and Kattarian bridges, water surged to 22 feet, flooding areas like Javed Colony, Nadeem Colony, and Gowalmandi.

Despite Section 144 banning garbage dumping, residents of Dhoke Chirag Din continue to clog the drain with waste, worsening blockages. In response, the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has fast-tracked plans to widen the 16-kilometer waterway, install barbed fencing, and divide it into sections for expedited rehabilitation. Deputy Commissioner Dr. Hassan Waqar Cheema, chairing a high-level meeting, stressed assigning each section to a different contractor and introducing fencing, beautification, and monitoring to curb encroachments.

In Islamabad, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) is cracking down on illegal structures over stormwater drains. Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa warned that unapproved buildings without hydraulic studies “are ticking time bombs” during floods. Demolitions are underway, supported by drone surveillance and Google Earth mapping.

The monsoon’s peak on July 17 brought 254mm of rain in Rawalpindi—the highest in seven years. Four deaths were reported, including two children, while Rescue 1122 and army personnel evacuated dozens from flooded zones.

With Punjab experiencing 124% more rainfall this season and at least 180 fatalities nationwide, Nullah Leh’s tragic history—most notably the 2001 flood that killed 65—has driven authorities to push urgent structural reforms to prevent a repeat of this year’s devastation.