- PM vows early rehabilitation of flood affected people, announces Rs 1.30b for Mianwali, Rs 200m for Isakhel
Addressing a gathering of the flood victims, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday said the government would spend Rs 1.30 billion to protect Mianwali from devastating hill torrents that cause widespread damage while he also announced Rs 200 million for water supply scheme for Isakhel.
The prime minister, who was on a daylong visit to the affected areas, had an aerial view of the affected area. He visited the relief camps and handed over food and relief goods amongst the displaced.
Promising that the government would utilise all resources for early rehabilitation of the flood affected people, the prime minister directed the Punjab chief minister to expedite work on projects to protect the area from flash floods. He said the government would provide funds and a number of embankments would be constructed to divert the flood waters. He said new dams, that would cost a huge amount, need to be built to prevent flooding in future.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif told the gathering that he was saddened to see the damages caused by rains and hill torrents and prayed to Allah to keep everyone safe. He said the compensation for those who lost their lives was in no way a replacement of the precious lives lost, but was meant to help their families.
He said the China Pakistan Economic Corridor would pass through Mianwali and help bring about a major change in the lives of the masses. He said not only it would generate employment, but also open up new avenues for progress and development.
PM Sharif said the floods this year were far less in intensity than the ones in 2010. He was appreciative of the role of National Disaster Management Authority and other departments and organisations for flood relief and rehabilitation.
Moreover, the prime minister asked the officials concerned to ensure that the electricity infrastructure was strong enough to withstand flooding in future.
Earlier, Mianwali DCO in his briefing informed that heavy rains in the area caused seven deaths while 2,345 people were evacuated to safe places. He said that 1,535 mud houses and 1,157 pukka houses were damaged with 45 villages and a population of 55,000 affected while 12,924 acres of crop land was also damaged.
Around 9,800 ration bags have so far been distributed, while 2,214 tents have been provided for shelter amongst the displaced and 11 relief camps were set up. He was informed that a payment of Rs 0.5 million to each of those who lost their lives has already been made.
