CM calls for steps to check urban flooding

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has ordered the procurement of machinery required to prevent urban flooding.

Chairing a meeting, she ordered cleaning of floodways under motorways, highways and railway tracks.

The chief minister directed the authorities concerned to lower the height of green belts to ensure drainage of rainwater from roads.

She called for ensuring timely cleaning and rehabilitation of flood drains and implementation of laws related to prevention of flooding.

According to an official statement, the chief minister agreed to a proposal to build rainwater storage tanks in cities affected by flooding.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said roads in the cities were often submerged and the sewerage system needed to be improved.

She said priority should be given to the rehabilitation and improvement of the sewerage systems in view of the suffering of people.

Lahore, the second largest city in Pakistan, is familiar with the catastrophic phenomenon of urban flooding. Last year, July was the "wettest" month the city faced since 1961, with approximately 177.6 mm of rainfall, exceeding the average by more than 181%.

Earlier in September, Maryam Nawaz Sharif had put all relevant departments on high alert in view of the fear of urban flooding due to heavy rains.

She had directed the Dera Ghazi Khan administration to remain ready to cope with floods and landslides in the Sulaiman range.