Rain emergencies: ‘All measures but load-shedding sorted out’

HYDERABAD: As the Indus River attains flood level and torrential monsoon rains are on the horizon, the Sindh government claims to have completed all preparations to timely respond to any calamity. However, the uninterrupted supply of electricity appears to be the only Achilles Heel for the provincial government.

At a press conference at the Shahbaz Hall on Wednesday, provincial ministers said that the district level disaster management committees, comprising the district administration and local representatives, have been formed to monitor the situation and ensure that appropriate relief measures are taken.

Senior minister Nisar Khuhro, accompanied by environment minister Dr Sikandar Mandhro and information adviser Maula Bux Chandio, said the committees will also provide food, tents and arrange health facilities.



Chandio, meanwhile, criticised the services of the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (Hesco), which supplies electricity to 13 districts of Sindh. "The Sindh government is assured of [disaster management and relief] measures but we are worried about Hesco," he said.

The adviser warned that if any electricity breakdown occurs during rains, it will badly affect the drainage work from flooded areas and other relief efforts too. "We request the Water and Power Development Authority to have mercy on the people of Sindh during these days," he pleaded.

He demanded that the water supply and drainage pumping stations should be exempted from load-shedding during monsoon rains.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 14^th, 2016.