Choppers join relief operation

DERA GHAZI KHAN:

An aerial relief operation has been started in the flood-affected areas of Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur districts.

Aid is being supplied through helicopters to flood-affected people of Koh-e-Sulaiman and other remote areas.

Pakistan Army, on the request of the district administration, has provided two helicopters for the relief operation in Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur.

Divisional Commissioner Usman Anwar told reporters that tents, ration and other aid items were also being supplied to the Sulaiman mountain range on camels, motorcycles and other vehicles through the tribal region's Border Military Police and Baloch Levy.

He said that the relief activities had not been abandoned, but the helicopters would expedite the operation and help in reaching the areas that are difficult to access.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has directed the relevant authorities to ensure all possible precautionary measures to deal with river floods in Rajanpur, Taunsa and Dera Ghazi Khan districts.

He said while issuing the instructions that all relevant departments should work in a coordinated manner to help the flood victims.

He said the PDMA, Rescue 1122 and the administration should expedite the rescue and relief operations and immediately shift the required equipment and machinery from Punjab's other cities to the flood-affected areas.

He said residents of low-lying areas should be shifted to safe places and all other measures for their relief should also be taken.

The chief minister said timely measures should be taken for the protection of people living in low-lying areas. Provision of tents and dry ration to the flood victims should be ensured.

He issued directives to form mobile health teams along with establishment of medical and veterinary camps in the affected areas.

The chief minister said the rehabilitation of the flood victims was their top concern of the government.

DG Khan RPO Muhammad Saleem said the police were carrying on relief and rescue activities in Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur.

He said the police had shifted 1,380 people trapped in the floodwater to safe places besides rescuing 605 cattle head during the

past 24 hours. He said more than 1,200 police personnel were taking part in the relief activities in the flood-affected areas of DG Khan region.

The official said the police had also distributed relief items and food packets among the flood victims in the affected areas of Dera Ghazi Khan region. The relief items include ration, milk, juices, biscuits and other essential things.

The divisional commissioner said an interprovincial highway blocked at Rakhi Gaaj in Fort Munro had been opened. He said NHA officials had cleared the part of the road blocked by a landslide.

Commissioner Usman Anwar, in a message, appealed to the people not to obstruct the path of water flow from the mountains and rivers.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 24^th, 2022.