ISLAMABAD: Besides the natural calamity, the Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) negligence is also a major contributing factor to flash flooding in the capital, as the authority failed to properly implement the city’s landmark master plan. The planned city has been facing flash flooding for the last many years due to poor planning and weak writ. Islamabad received 150mm of rain, which resulted in flash floods, badly affecting three areas – E-11 sector, Park Road near Comsats and Ghauri Town. After hectic efforts, the city managers, under the supervision of Chief Commissioner and CDA Chairman Sohail Ashraf, brought the situation under control. But, investigation carried out by Dawn revealed that CDA’s negligence was a contributing factor behind the flooding particularly in the three areas where the course of nullahs had either been changed or their right of way was squeezed by private parties over the last few years. Encroaching upon nullahs’ right of way reason behind urban deluge Sector E-11, where a mother and child died in 2021, once again was in the grip of flash floods on Tuesday. However, this time no loss of life was reported, as the city administration had already sealed the houses which were at risk. A 2005 satellite image of Gumrah Kas shows the nullah meandering through the Chatta Bakhtawar area before reaching Park Road. In this un-acquired sector, where five private housing schemes are located, both nullahs had been squeezed to create plots. One nullah, which entered from D-12 back in 2012, had been reduced by a housing society from 40 feet to 18 feet. Surprisingly, CDA itself allowed the society to cover the nullah. Before entering E-11 sector, the nullah had around 100 feet right of way, but in E-11, it reduces to around 18 feet with a sharp bend, which is a constant source of flooding in the area. The other nullah, which enters this sector from E-10 side, had also been squeezed and a junction of these two nullahs created a bottleneck, forcing the water to gush out. Several buildings and houses were located, allegedly on the right of way of the nullahs in this sector. A 2026 satellite image shows the nullah in Chatta Bakhtawar turned into a straight channel, with extensive construction along its former alignment. It is relevant to note here that E-11 sector is located in the heart of the city, and is dotted with unauthorised highrises and apartment buildings. Five cooperative housing societies, including three that do not even have valid layout plans, are also located here. One of the affected areas – Park Road near Comsats – has a nullah called Gumrah Kas, which overflowed, causing flash floods that entered basements of some houses and badly disrupted traffic. Satellite image of 2005 and 2026 showed that the course of this nullah had been massively changed in this area. In 2005, the nullah used to flow from private land, but now passes through CDA’s acquired land, with the remaining land used for construction of houses – a step which raised eyebrows. On the other hand, Ghauri Town, an unauthorised housing society, also faced floods as two natural nullahs passed through the society. Both nullahs were squeezed for construction purposes. The architect of Islamabad’s 1960 master plan proposed the construction of Lohi Bher Lake in one of the city’s lowest-lying areas to store water and help prevent flooding. Two housing societies now operate in the area, as the CDA did not acquire the land proposed for the lake. In the same areas after Ghauri Town, Doxiadis Associates, the Greece-based firm which prepared Islamabad’s master plan in 1960, designed Lohi Bher lake/dam as he knew that the area was low-lying and ideal for a dam. But, the CDA never took any step to acquire the land for construction of the dam. Resultantly, the proposed site is now part of two private housing societies – Jammu Kashmir Farming Scheme and Gulberg Housing Scheme. Meanwhile, rainwater accumulated on all major roads and in the I series sector. Sector D-12 had also been badly affected, particularly the sector’s markaz. Several commercial buildings, including City Centre, Family Mart Plaza, Aim Centre and Swiss Centre Plaza, have had their entire basements flooded, inflicting heavy loss to traders. The traders have demanded proper drainage system in this sector to avoid flooding in future. Meanwhile, CDA and ICT teams remained in the field to get the roads cleared. The CDA chairman visited E-11 sector, Ghauri Town and some other areas along with the deputy commissioner. Besides, nullahs squeezing issue, the CDA through an amendment to the master plan in 90s, changed status of Zone 4, converting it from green to residential area with a large number of housing schemes, which may be a factor behind climate change. According to Global Forest Watch (GFW), Islamabad lost 14 hectares of tree cover between 2001 and 2025. Speaking to Dawn, CDA Chairman Sohail Ashraf said a comprehensive plan had been chalked out to tackle flash flooding in Islamabad. “Four new check dams will be constructed at the foothills of the Margallas to store rainwater while a new nullah will be built in sector E-11 to ensure smooth flow of water. As far as Ghauri Town and other areas are concerned where construction had taken place in right of ways of nullahs, we will remove these constructions, ” he said, adding that it is unfortunate that rainwater is not being stored in a water scarcity-hit city. “Our dam project will not only reduce chances of floods, but also help us meet our water needs, ” he said, adding that the CDA will also look into the issue of Gumra Kas’ alignment. “I can’t say anything about what happened in the past; I would just say that crisis creates an opportunity and with positive mindset, we will take steps to store rainwater and take action to clear right of way of nullahs. I will also get input about the proposed Lohi Bahir lake issue, ” he said, adding that “since we sealed the basements and also some houses in E-11, no loss of life was reported unlike the 2021 flooding in this area”. Published in Dawn, September 3rd, 2026
Master plan violations lead to worsening of Islamabad flooding
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