Addressing a pre-flood inter-provincial meeting of the Federal Flood Commission (FFC), Minister for Water and Power Syed Naveed Qamar on Thursday asked all provinces to complete restoration work at flood affected areas by July 15. This, he said, was important to ensure a safe season ahead. The meeting reviewed progress of restoration work, flood bunds and preparation of provinces for the flood season 2011. The minister called for adoption of all pre-emptive measures recommended by the FFC to avert possible damages in case of heavy rainfall and floods during the monsoon season. The meeting also sought a progress report on restoration work from provinces and their mid-term flood schemes, while the FFC was directed to monitor rehabilitation activities at provinces. Provinces informed the meeting that immediate and mid-term restoration work had almost been completed and ensured that residual work will finish by July 15.
Provinces were asked to mobilise all resources to repair infrastructure. In addition, they were directed to streamline procedures by updating SOPs. The minister will visit all provinces to review their restoration and reconstruction work. Flood damage to irrigation, drainage and flood protection infrastructure, assessed by the ADB and World Bank, was around Rs 83 billion, including reconstruction and infrastructure improvement. NDMA chairman said all arrangements were made to meet any emergency during the forthcoming monsoon season. He said the authority was coordinating with all concerned federal and provincial departments.
