CM sends aide to oversee river erosion relief

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif directed Special Assistant Shoaib Mirza on Sunday to visit areas affected by river erosion in Layyah and oversee relief and rescue operations.

Mirza visited the Samra Nasheeb area on the outskirts of Layyah and inspected areas affected by the erosion. He met affected residents, heard their concerns and assessed the losses.

The chief minister directed authorities to take immediate measures to mitigate the losses and remove all hurdles in rescue and relief operations.

She also sent officials of the irrigation department and Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) to the affected area.

Necessary machinery was mobilised for the operations, while PDMA officials reached Samra Nasheeb.

The special assistant supervised the shifting of residents and their belongings to safe locations. Food and other essential supplies have been arranged for affected families, while dry rations are also being distributed.

A committee was constituted to assess the damage to farmers' land, houses and other property and submit a report. The CM also directed the authorities to propose measures to protect Samra Nasheeb from river erosion in future.

Layyah Deputy Commissioner Asif Ali Dogar and other district administration officials were also present to supervise the relief and rescue work. Shoaib Mirza said the administration and relevant departments were working round the clock to provide immediate relief to affected people.

He said the flood situation in the erosion-hit areas was being continuously monitored and the Punjab government would provide all available resources, including machinery, to ensure the safety of the people.