Punjab administration is out to monitor relief work in rain affected areas

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has expressed deep sense of sorrow and grief over the loss of precious human lives in various incidents due to heavy rains in Lahore and other areas of Punjab and announced financial assistance of rupees five lakh for the family of each deceased person and Rs. one lakh each for the injured. Shahbaz Sharif said that he is deeply grieved over the loss of human lives and damage to property due to rains. He further said that Punjab government is standing with its affected brethren and sisters and fully shares their grief.

The Chief Minister while issuing instructions to the provincial administration to take immediate measures to cope with the situation arising out of heavy rains and to accelerate relief activities, directed administrative officers and WASA authorities to remain present in the field and ensure drainage of rainwater. He said that assembly members, administrative and WASA officers should personally supervise disposal of rainwater from low-lying areas and remain present in the field until the situation improves. Shahbaz Sharif said that all out resources should be utilized for drainage of rainwater while best treatment facilities should be provided to the persons injured in various accidents. He said that relief activities be further accelerated and warned that no laxity will be tolerated in this regard. He also directed assembly members to visit the families of the persons who had died in the tragic incidents to share their grief.

Meanwhile, in view of heavy rains and threat of flood in the province, the Chief Minister has assigned responsibilities to provincial ministers to monitor relief activities in nine divisions of the province and directed them to immediately reach their respective divisions. He said that elected representatives, Commissioners and DCOs should monitor relief activities for the affected people with commitment and devotion. He said that assembly members should also monitor relief activities in their respective constituencies.

Chief Secretary Naveed Akram Cheema visited various areas of the city including Lakshmi Chowk, Outfall Road and Gulburg to monitor the situation after rain. Commissioner Lahore Division, District Coordination Officer Lahore and Director General LDA also accompanied him. The Chief Secretary directed Managing Director WASA and DCO Lahore to ensure immediate disposal of rainwater. He further directed MD WASA to personally supervise this operation and submit a report after every two hours.

While talking to media-men at Laskshmi Chowk, the Chief Secretary said that WASA teams are working for disposal of rainwater and it will soon be drained from Laskshmi Chowk if there are no more rains. He further said that 14 disposal stations are functioning at full capacity and generators have also been arranged at these stations. He said that critical centers have been set up at 18 places in Lahore where WASA staff has been posted and is working round the clock.

Shahbaz Sharif further said that relief operation should immediately be started in case of any unpleasant incident and concerned institutions should remain alert to cope with any emergency. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister while issuing instructions to the provincial administration to deal with the threat of floods due to recent rains said that provincial administration and concerned institutions should keep a watchful eye on river situation and remain fully alert. He further directed that precautionary measures should be adopted to deal with the potential flood and concerned institutions should ensure implementation of SOPs to tackle any emergency.