Pakistan: New flood warning system in Rawalpindi: ReliefWeb

SLAMABAD, 8 July 2008 (IRIN) - About 150,000 people living alongside Leh Nullah, a drainage channel running through Rawalpindi, should benefit from a new flood warning system launched on 7 July with Japanese assistance.

The drainage channel is prone to flooding, particularly during the monsoon season.

This has from time to time created havoc. In July 2001, 74 lives were lost and 3,000 houses destroyed after the drainage channel burst its banks.

The incident led to discussion of the need for a flood warning system. Since 2001, periodic flooding of houses alongside the channel has taken place, with the latest flooding just a few days ago, when heavy rain lashed Rawalpindi.

"Water creeps rapidly over the banks and into homes. It makes for very difficult living conditions," said Rabia Bibi, 45, who lives near the channel. She told IRIN: "Each year people have to move away during the rains because of water entering homes."

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