Pre-monsoon rains: CM sounds the alert on flood arrangements

Shahbaz asks Health Dept to ensure availability of medicines.

LAHORE: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Wednesday directed the departments concerned to remain alert to deal with monsoon rains and possible floods.

He was addressing a meeting to review arrangements for dealing with floods and monsoon rains.

“The government departments concerned should make the necessary preparations and clean drains and sewer lines,” he said. The CM also ordered a third-party audit of the work.

“Anti-snake venom vaccine for treatment of snakebite victims should be available in all districts. Effective monitoring of arrangements and preparations for monsoon season is essential,” he said. He said a report should be submitted to him about the availability of equipment for WASA.

He said that special arrangements should be made for draining rainwater along the route of Orange Line Metro Train project. “Machinery and equipment of WASA and other departments should be in working condition. The Health Department should have necessary medicines to deal with any untoward situation,” the CM said. He said that secretaries of the departments concerned should monitor arrangements being made for floods.

Ministers Rana Mashhood Ahmad, Bilal Yasin, Yawar Zaman, Muhammad Shaifque, Tanveer Aslam Malik, MPA Chaudhry Shahbaz and Khawaja Ahmad Hassaan attended the meeting. Governor meets CM: Governor Malik Muhammad Rafique Rajwana met Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Wednesday. During the meeting, ongoing development projects in the province came under discussion. The governor congratulated the CM on presenting a budget in accordance with people’s expectations. The CM said that Rs173 billion had been allocated for south Punjab in the budget. “Rs 550 billion has been allocated for development projects,” he said.

The government has formed a special unit for the protection of Chinese citizens in the province. The CM was informed about the performance of the Special Protection Unit on Wednesday. The CM reviewed the steps taken to ensure the security of foreign nationals.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 16^th, 2016.