RAWALPINDI: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a heavy rainfall warning during the coming monsoon season starting after Eidul Fitr.

To cope with the anticipated flood situation, the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) has completed the dredging of Leh Nullah and chalked out a comprehensive plan to avoid a flood-like situation.

This was stated by Wasa Managing Director Raja Shaukat Mahmood while briefing an inspection team from Lahore who arrived in the city to check the preparedness of the Wasa for the monsoon season.

On special directions of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Secretary Housing, Urban Development and Public Health Engineering Khurram Agha visited Rawalpindi for inspecting the dredging of Leh Nullah and operational preparations of Wasa. Mr Mahmood the team that all necessary arrangements were being made to cope with the upcoming monsoon season `This year Wasa has dredged outmore than 1,500,000 cubic feet solid waste and garbage from Leh Nullah at different points such as Katarian, Phagwari, Dhoke Dalal, Rata, Gawalmandi and Rialto Chowk bridge and the same has been transported out of the city,` he added.

Mr Mahmood said the leaves of operational/field staff had been cancelled and they would remain on ahigh alert until September 30.

He also said the flood response units had been made functional at Moti Mahal, Liaquat Bagh, Bagh Sardaran and Khyaban-i-Sir Syed.

Heavy machinery, including sucker machines, jetting machines, sewer cleaning rodding machines, dewatering sets and water boozers have been at these units.