LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Sardar Usman Buzdar on Sunday said that keeping in view predictions of heavy rainfall and floods, all arrangements should be completed in order to cope with the threats.
He said that provincial and federal institutions concerned should work in an integrated manner to ensure the best arrangements for any emergency-like situation.
The CM said that all departments should perform their duties under the best coordination and keep close contact with the Meteorological Committee for Floods.
Information on climate situation should be received on a daily basis, he said and further directed the officials to devise an emergency plan regarding rain and expected floods.
He said that he would personally supervise the arrangements and would not tolerate any laxity in this regard.
ARRANGEMENTS FOR LIKELY FLOOD IN CHENAB:
The district administration has made all possible precautionary arrangements to cope with likely flood in the river Chenab.
An emergency meeting of the District Emergency Board was held here under the chairmanship of Hafizabad Deputy Commissioner (DC) Adnan Arshad Aulakh which was attended by District Police Officer (DPO) Saifullah Khan, ADC Revenue Amna Rafique, ADC Finance Afzaal Ahmad Warraich, Assistant Commissioners Faisal Abbas Mangat Hafizabad and Tanveer Yaseen Pindi Bhattian, Sibghatullah District Emergency Officer and others.
The departments concerned were directed to remain fully alert to evacuate people in case of a flood in the river Chenab and make arrangements in this respect.
District Emergency Officer Sibghatullah told the meeting that Rescue 1122 had 39 boats, 575 life jackets, 980 plastic seats, 874 tents and other life-saving articles at its disposal.
He assured that the Rescue-1122 would ensure the safety of human and cattle lives in case of a flood in the river.
He assured that the evacuated villagers would be provided shelter and food at relief centres to be set up in different places.
PDMA ISSUES FLOOD WARNING:
Earlier, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) had issued a flood alert for parts of Punjab in anticipation of outflows from Indian reservoirs and heavy showers.
The PDMA, in a statement, warned medium to very high flood situation is expected in River Chenab from Sept 23 till Sept 28 owing to the likely downpour and release of water from India.
It alerted the relevant provincial authorities to take measures to remedy the situation that may emerge from the expected flooding.
Meanwhile, leaves of employees of the revenue, rescue, health, livestock and agriculture departments have been cancelled in view of the flood warning.
