A new United Nations report has highlighted Islamabad’s vulnerability to localized flooding, despite being a planned city, due to the absence of a proper storm drainage system.
The report, titled Multi-Hazard Vulnerability and Risk Assessment (MHVRA), was launched by UN-Habitat and Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). It pointed out that even moderate rainfall causes flooding in Islamabad and Rawalpindi due to rapid urbanization, deforestation, and growing water demand.
Groundwater depletion and rising temperatures have further worsened the crisis.
Rawalpindi faces urban flash floods mainly due to the overflow of Nullah Leh, while Nowshera, located along the Kabul River, remains highly vulnerable to riverine flooding. The study mapped high-risk flood zones and assessed infrastructure weaknesses in these areas.
The Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) and WASA presented efforts to enhance flood resilience, including rainwater harvesting and training programs for government officials.
The report recommended measures such as improved drainage, reinforced embankments, and nature-based solutions to mitigate flood risks. It aims to guide national and local policies for better disaster preparedness and urban resilience planning.
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Most of pakistan doesn’t have water and this city is vulnerable to floods. Simply great.