A special review meeting on water drainage following the recent heavy rains was held at the Commissioner Office Sahiwal under the chairmanship of Commissioner Sahiwal Division, Dr. Asif Tufail.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner Sahiwal Shahid Mehmood and Director Development and Finance Shafiq Ahmad Dogar. EXEN Drainage Umar Abrar, EXEN LBDC Muhammad Talha and Chief Officer District Council Ghulam Dastgir also participated. EXEN Highways Muhammad Ramzan, DO Emergency Services Dr. Abdullah Khalid, and Deputy Director Technical Imran Khan were present.
During the briefing, EXEN Drainage Umar Abrar informed the meeting that on July 15 and 16, a record 335 mm of rainfall was recorded in Okara District. It was because water drainage from various villages in the district has been delayed.
He reported that the Sukhrawa Drain and Sukh Beas Drain overflowed at several points, causing rainwater to enter adjacent villages.
Umar Abrar added that it will take another four days for all the water to be fully drained. Fortunately, no loss of life or property was reported due to the overflow of the drains.
He also mentioned that water accumulation was worsened by landowners digging up soil from their fields, which obstructed water flow.
EXEN Drainage further reported an increase in the flow of the Ravi River at Qutb Shahana Bridge, and under Section 144, swimming or bathing in rivers and canals has been strictly prohibited.
Commissioner Dr. Asif Tufail emphasized that the district administration must ensure the safety of lives and property. He instructed the deputy commissioners of all three districts to seek assistance from Rescue 1122 wherever necessary.
Dr. Asif Tufail further directed that the deputy commissioners should personally monitor the drainage of rainwater from rural areas.