Flood preparedness: Govt allocates Rs1.25 billion for monsoon contingency plan

There will not be high-level floods in K-P this year, says Mian Iftikhar.

PESHAWAR: Keeping in view the flash floods of 2010 that caught the provincial government unprepared, Chief Minister Amir Haider Khan Hoti approved the Monsoon Contingency Plan 2012, which allocates Rs1.25 billion for flood relief.

The plan caters to the immediate needs of 0.19 million families.

During a press briefing at the CM house annexe on Monday, Provincial Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain said the flood response plan was approved by Chief Minister during a special meeting.

In 2010, Rs17 billion in Annual Development Program (ADP) had to be diverted for recovery and rehabilitation after the floods.

“According to the meteorological department, there will not be high-level floods in K-P this year. However, there is still a danger that water streams in various localities might overflow  and lead to fatalities as well as loss of property,” Hussain said. “We have prepared in case of mid-level floods.”

All districts in the province will be given Rs125 million in lieu of preparation for floods emergency, while the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has also kept funds of Rs100 million in case of low-level floods.

“We have 11,000 tents and are buying 10,000 more. The UNHCR is also providing us 10,000 tents,” Hussain said.

Provincial Emergency Centre

“A Provincial Emergency Centre (PEC) has been established at PDMA for timely response in case of floods threats,” he said, adding that as an emergency response plan, the provincial government will use offices of the Pakistan Army and Rescue 1122. An emergency flood system will be made in each department concerned.

PEC, which cost Rs35 million, is currently connected to 10 districts, including Shangla, Swat, Mardan, Kohistan, Dir, Nowshera and Peshawar, while the rest of the areas will soon be added.

At the district level, the District Coordination Officer (DCO) will be in charge, who will coordinate with the provincial information department to ensure that people in areas under risk are giving timely information.

He added that drastic steps will be taken to remove encroachment and that courts should also cooperate and take action against illegal occupation of land.

Aid agencies

The information minister said that international aid agencies are also making a plan for the monsoons in liaison with the provincial government. This time, enlisted NGOs will be contacted if the need arises, he said, adding that the list of NGOs will be given to the interior ministry to avoid confusion during flood relief activities.