Arrangements finalized to cope with the possible flood situation

Lahore: Provincial Minister for Environment and Chairman Cabinet Committee on Flood Shuja Khazada has said that arrangements have been finalized to cope with the possible flood situation in the province and funds have been released to district coordination officers for relief activities. He said that a control room has been set up at Civil Secretariat which will function round the clock.

He was presiding over a meeting of cabinet committee here today. Chief Secretary Naveed Akram Cheema, Additional Chief Secretary Aamir Sohail, Secretary Home Major Retd. Azam Suleman and secretaries of provincial departments were present. The Minister said that flow of water in rivers and the nearby areas are being monitored throughout the province and close contact has been established with Commissioners and DCOs. He said that Punjab government is fully prepared to meet any flood emergency in Jhelum, Gujrat, Sialkot, Jhang and Gujranwala and help of army can also be acquired if needed.

Col. Shuja Khanzada further said that the government has provided abundance funds to DCOs of all districts for purchase of medicines, tents, food items and relief activities. He said that Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif is visiting various areas of Punjab while all provincial Ministers and secretaries have been assigned responsibilities and they have left for their allotted districts. He said that Punjab Disaster Management Authority is playing a key role in this regard and maintaining a watchful eye across the province in view of the threat of flood. He further said that a helpline has also been set up for ensuring immediate disposal of rainwater.

Chief Secretary Naveed Akram Cheema directed DCOs to monitor the flow of water in rivers and ensure immediate shifting of the people to safer places in case of any emergency.   He directed PDMA, district administration and Revenue authorities to accelerate relief activities in the areas affected by rainwater and complete the survey to assess damages as early as possible.