Surveying the damage

The aftermath of the floods continues to pose a major challenge for the government and authorities to cope with. A provincial survey has just been initiated throughout the DG Khan district to assess the overall damage caused by the floods. The survey also aims to assist authorities in allocating funds for different districts.

Dera Ghazi Khan:

District coordination officer (DCO) Khan Iftikhar Sahu said that he had begun conducting a survey to assess losses incurred by flood victims in the district.

Sahu said that more than 100,000 people had been affected by the floods in DG Khan. In order to assess the losses 280, teams have been formed and the Finance Department, livestock department and health department would lead the inspection teams during the survey.

Meanwhile, the DG Khan-Multan land connection has not been restored even after a lapse of 22 days. Transport fares in the district have doubled over the past three days. Major roads near Ghazi Ghat have been inundated cutting off the routes between Multan and DG Khan. After 15 days the Pakistan Army and National Highway Authority opened the road for heavy traffic but light vehicular traffic is still not allowed on the roads.

Multan:

Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Shahbaz Sharif said that 100,000 mosquito nets would be given to flood victims in the district.

Sharif and Punjab Assembly Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal as well as international health organisation officials participated in a meeting to discuss the health situation in the district. The CM also visited Rohelawala camp and vowed to give Rs 20,000 each to every affected family before Eid.

Meanwhile, during his visit to Multan on Sunday, Prime Minister Syed Yusaf Raza Gilani said that this year’s floods posed one of the greatest disasters the nation had ever encountered. “This situation can either make us or break us. It is time to put aside petty politicking in favour of philanthropy,” he said. The PM said that the government would soon convene a meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) to devise a national strategy, keeping all the provinces on board to discuss how to move ahead with the rehabilitation and reconstruction process. He said that all provinces would be consulted during the drafting of the rehabilitation plans.

Sutlej:

In Vehari, at head Islam Sutlej water levels have been steadily increasing. Thousands of acres of land have been affected and people are evacuating the area.

Water that was discharged by India is reaching head Islam via head Ganda Singh and head Sulemanki. At present 30,000 cusecs of water has been present at head Islam and 39,000 cusecs at head Sulemanki. Official at head Islam, Muhammad Anwar said that around 40,000 to 50,000 people had been affected in the area.

Daska: Anjuman Aadhatian and rice dealers in Daska have distributed money and ration among affected families. Food was distributed among 1,250 families and Rs 20,000 each were also given to over 300 families.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 31^st, 2010.