CM orders flood prevention plans

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif ordered the relevant authorities on Thursday to ensure drainage of water from the Kartarpur Gurdwara at the earliest.

She was presiding over a meeting during a visit to Kartarpur along with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to express solidarity with the flood-affected Sikh community. The chief minister ordered immediate repair and rehabilitation of roads and timely evacuation of the elderly, women and children from the flood-affected areas. She said on the occasion, "Narowal is among the districts worst affected by the devastating flood. Everyone is deeply distressed by the loss of lives due to havoc played by the flood." She said no death due the negligence of any department had bene reported during the flood in the province.

She highlighted, "Future planning of the Punjab government is focused on its foremost priority of flood prevention. Such an extraordinary monsoon spell had not been seen for 38 years. The nation should also know the causes and effects of the floods. Urban flooding and rainwater have reached everywhere in Punjab." She said that despite the extraordinary rainfall, drainage of rainwater had been made possible within a few hours.

She regretted that a massive flood of water had come due to the opening of spillways by India.

The chief minister said the early warning system is working efficiently and timely evacuation of the population has been ensured. She added that people do not easily prepare to leave their belongings.