Law & Governance | June 2026 | 5 min read
⚡ Quick Takeaways
- Section 144 is being imposed in Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum and Murree.
- Swimming and recreational activity in nullahs, canals, dams and fast-flowing water bodies will be banned.
- The order was issued during a monsoon preparedness review chaired by Commissioner Abdul Aamer Khattak.
- Districts have been told to set up control rooms and prepare evacuation plans for low-lying areas.
- Rescue 1122 and Civil Defence will conduct mock drills to test emergency readiness.
Punjab authorities have ordered a ban on swimming and recreational activity in dangerous water channels across five districts of Rawalpindi Division as the monsoon season approaches, moving to reduce drowning, flooding and urban safety risks before heavy rains intensify.
| 5 districts covered by the swimming ban |
Section 144 to restrict risky water activity |
Monsoon season main safety risk period |
Where the Swimming Ban Will Apply
The divisional administration has directed district authorities in Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum and Murree to impose Section 144 on swimming and recreation in nullahs, canals, dams and other fast-flowing water bodies. The decision was taken during a monsoon preparedness meeting chaired by Rawalpindi Commissioner Abdul Aamer Khattak, where deputy commissioners and officials from key departments reviewed flood response arrangements.
The order is preventive in nature. During monsoon rains, normally calm water channels can quickly become unsafe because of sudden water flows, slippery banks, poor visibility and debris carried by stormwater. Officials said the restriction is aimed at keeping citizens, tourists and young swimmers away from locations where rescue access can become difficult during heavy rain.
The ban covers Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum and Murree. These areas include urban drains, hill streams, dams, canals and picnic points that may attract visitors during hot weather. Authorities have been asked to enforce the restriction through local administrations and field teams, especially in places where people commonly gather near water for swimming or recreation.
| Public warning: citizens should stay away from nullahs, canals, dams and fast-flowing streams during rain, even if water levels look normal at first. |
Monsoon Control Rooms and Drain Cleaning Ordered
The commissioner also ordered each district to establish control rooms for monitoring flood-related situations. These control rooms are expected to coordinate information between district administrations, Rescue 1122, Civil Defence, municipal agencies, Wasa and other civic bodies so that emergency alerts and field responses can be handled without delay.
Civic agencies were directed to complete geo-tagging of manholes and ensure that all manholes in urban areas are properly covered. This instruction is important because open or weakly covered manholes become a serious hazard during rain, especially when roads are flooded and pedestrians or motorcyclists cannot see the surface clearly.
Officials were also told to complete the cleaning of storm drains, sewerage lines and drainage channels before the monsoon becomes more active. Encroachments and solid waste that block the natural flow of water are to be removed, while low-lying areas must be identified for possible evacuation planning if rainfall creates a flood-like situation.
The meeting also focused on Leh Nullah and other major drains in Rawalpindi, where water accumulation has historically created emergency conditions during intense rain spells. Wasa and relevant civic bodies were instructed to clear drains, remove waste and ensure that vulnerable points remain under close observation.
Key Monsoon Preparedness Measures
| Measure | Responsible focus | Purpose |
| Section 144 swimming ban | District administrations | Prevent drowning and unsafe recreation |
| Control rooms | All five districts | Monitor flood-like situations and coordinate response |
| Manhole geo-tagging | Civic agencies | Reduce urban rain hazards |
| Drain and sewer cleaning | Wasa and municipal bodies | Improve stormwater flow before heavy rain |
| Mock drills | Rescue 1122 and Civil Defence | Test readiness before emergencies |
| Resource requests | Districts and PDMA | Arrange equipment and support in advance |
Rescue 1122 and Civil Defence were directed to conduct regular mock drills to test emergency preparedness. These exercises are meant to check whether rescue teams, equipment, communication channels and evacuation plans are ready before the monsoon produces any serious incident.
District administrations were further asked to send their resource requirements to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority. This could include requests linked to emergency machinery, rescue equipment, dewatering support, communication systems and other items needed for local response during heavy rain or flooding.
| Preparedness note: early drain clearance, mock drills and evacuation planning can reduce emergency pressure once heavy rainfall begins. |
What Citizens and Tourists Should Do
For the public, the message is direct: avoid swimming, bathing, picnicking or playing near fast-moving water during the monsoon period. Parents should keep children away from nullahs and canals, while tourists in Murree and nearby areas should avoid streams and water channels that may rise suddenly during rain.
The administration has not framed the measure as a permanent restriction. It is tied to the monsoon risk period and public safety planning. However, enforcement may remain strict in the coming weeks because even short spells of intense rain can create dangerous water flows in both urban and rural locations.
The decision also shows a wider shift in monsoon planning, with authorities focusing not only on rescue after incidents but also on prevention before emergencies occur. By combining swimming restrictions, drain cleaning, manhole checks, control rooms, mock drills and evacuation planning, the administration is trying to reduce avoidable deaths and damage during the rainy season.
| Safety advice: report emergencies immediately to local authorities or Rescue 1122 and avoid entering flooded roads or water channels. |
Disclaimer: This article is based on official directions reported from the Rawalpindi Division monsoon preparedness review and related public-safety information available at the time of writing. Citizens should follow the latest district administration and PDMA instructions during active rain spells.
