Master plan violations lead to worsening of Islamabad flooding

Master plan violations lead to worsening of Islamabad flooding.

Key points

• Kashif Abbasi Published September 3, 2026 Updated September 3, 2026 08: 46am.
• According to Global Forest Watch (GFW), Islamabad lost 14 hectares of tree cover between 2001 and 2025.
• 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.
• Sector E-11, where a mother and child died in 2021, once again was in the grip of flash floods on Tuesday.
• Kashif Ali Abbasi is an Islamabad-based reporter for Dawn with 17 years of experience in journalism.

Kashif Abbasi Published September 3, 2026 Updated September 3, 2026 08: 46am. Join our Whatsapp Channel. Add Dawn as a trusted source.

As the authority failed to properly implement the city's landmark master plan, ISLAMABAD: Besides the natural calamity, the Capital Development Authority's (CDA) negligence is additionally a major contributing factor to flash flooding in the capital.

Meanwhile, the planned city has been facing flash flooding for the last plenty of years due to poor planning and fragile writ. Islamabad received 150mm of rain. It 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 made public 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. As the city administration had already sealed the houses which were at risk, nevertheless, this time no loss of life was noted.

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. It is a constant source of flooding in the area.

For context, the other nullah, which enters this sector from E-10 side, had additionally been squeezed and a junction of these two nullahs created a bottleneck, forcing the water to gush out. A number of buildings and houses were located, allegedly on the right of way of the nullahs in this sector.

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 intends, are additionally located here.

One of the affected areas – Park Road near Comsats – has a nullah called Gumrah Kas. It overflowed, causing flash floods that entered basements of some houses and badly disrupted traffic. Satellite image of 2005 and 2026 indicated that the course of this nullah had been massively changed in this area.

In 2005, the nullah applied to flow from private land, but now passes through CDA's acquired land, with the remaining land employed for construction of houses – a step which raised eyebrows.

By contrast, Ghauri Town, an unauthorised housing society, additionally faced floods as two natural nullahs passed through the society. Both nullahs were squeezed for construction purposes.

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 additionally been badly affected, particularly the sector's markaz.

In practice, a number of 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 obtain the roads cleared. The CDA chairman visited E-11 sector, Ghauri Town and some other areas along with the deputy commissioner.

Besides, nullahs squeezing matter, the CDA through an amendment to the master plan in 90s, changed status of Zone 4, converting it from green to residential area with numerous housing schemes. It 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 remarked 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 remarked, 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 remarked, adding that the CDA will additionally look into the matter of Gumra Kas' alignment.

"I can't say anything regarding what happened previously; 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 additionally secure input regarding the proposed Lohi Bahir lake problem, " he said, adding that "since we sealed the basements and additionally some houses in E-11, no loss of life was noted unlike the 2021 flooding in this area". Published in Dawn, September 3rd, 2026.

Kashif Ali Abbasi is an Islamabad-based reporter for Dawn with 17 years of experience in journalism. He covers sports, the education sector, and civic problems. He can be discovered on X at @AbbasiKashif833.

In short, master plan violations lead to worsening of Islamabad flooding is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.