Swimming and Recreational Activities Banned in Five Punjab Districts Ahead of Monsoon
The divisional administration has imposed restrictions on swimming and other recreational activities in natural water bodies across five districts of Punjab ahead of the upcoming monsoon season.
The ban applies to Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, and Murree under Section 144, which prohibits public swimming in nullahs, canals, dams, and other fast-flowing water channels due to safety concerns.
The decision was made during a meeting chaired by Rawalpindi Commissioner Abdul Aamer Khattak, where officials reviewed monsoon preparedness measures across the division. Deputy commissioners and representatives from relevant departments attended the session.
During the meeting, the commissioner directed all district administrations to establish control rooms for real-time monitoring of flood situations and to ensure that emergency response systems remain fully active throughout the season.
He also instructed civic agencies to complete the geo-tagging and proper covering of manholes in urban areas, along with the cleaning of stormwater drains, sewer lines, and drainage channels.
Authorities were further directed to remove illegal encroachments that may block water flow and to prepare evacuation plans for residents living in low-lying or flood-prone areas, if needed.
The commissioner asked all districts to submit their resource requirements to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and emphasized that Rescue 1122 and Civil Defence teams should conduct regular mock drills to improve emergency preparedness.
Additionally, relevant civic bodies were instructed to complete the cleaning of Leh Nullah and other major drainage systems before the onset of monsoon to reduce the risk of urban flooding. Solid waste removal from sensitive low-lying areas was also ordered as part of precautionary measures.
