Flood relief underway in Dera Ghazi Khan

Providing stranded citizens relief is a top priority: Nadeem Kamran

DERA GHAZI KHAN: Minister for Zakat and Usher Nadeem Kamran chaired a meeting of the cabinet committee on floods in Dera Ghazi Khan on Sunday.

The government’s top priority is to provide stranded people relief, the minister said. “All departments will have to take on the responsibility of ensuring relief…department officials must not pass the buck and put off work.”

He said that laziness and negligence would not be tolerated at any cost.

The Punjab Disaster Management Authority has been directed to provide machinery and the equipment according to the requirements of relevant departments. Encroachments along Rivers Indus and Chenab must be removed on priority. The minister said stranded citizens would be moved to safe spots during possible flood situations.

“If there is an emergency situation, those who try to place hurdles in the way of relief efforts will be taken to task. People who oppose anti-encroachment drives will be dealt with severely.” A police check post has been set up at Guddu Barrage to help maintain peace while the district administration works on extending the Minchin Bund, said the minister.

Supply of medicines for people, and vaccines and fodder for cattle will be ensured, he said. He said an SMS service will ensure real-time contact with shepherds and nomads.

He said unnecessary delay in flood-related work could not be tolerated. “This could lead to a loss of lives.”

Jawad Rafique, the senior member of the Board of Revenue, said there would be a joint survey of flood bunds and sensitive areas. He said an awareness campaign should be conducted and control rooms should be set up. He said emergency contact numbers should be displayed prominently.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 1^st, 2016.