Prime Minister announces flood relief package for victims

Directs provinces to step up preparations for risk reduction in future disasters.

QADIRPUR: In his maiden visit to Sindh after being elected as Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif on Saturday visited flood-affected areas near Sukkur and directed all provincial governments to brush up their preparations for future flood threats besides announcing a relief package for victims of the ongoing flash floods.

Accompanied by Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah on an aerial survey of flooded areas, Nawaz met with flood affectees in Ghotki and distributed relief goods among them.

While talking to media persons during the visit, Sharif said that besides Sindh, the recent rains had also affected Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and some localities in Balochistan.

The premier said that more rains had been forecast for September and both the federal and the provincial governments should launch collaborative efforts to cope with emerging situation.

"In case water level increases due to predicted rains, we should be prepared to tackle the situation. Besides the Sindh government, I direct Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and other provincial governments to make preparations. The Federal Government will consider as to how it can assist the provinces in this regard."

Nawaz observed that several families whose villages were inundated had been shifted to safe locations. And while he acknowledged that the floods had caused a lot of damage, they were far lesser than those suffered during the floods in 2010.

He directed the authorities concerned to ensure provision of tents, ration and medicine to the affected families.

Meanwhile, in a briefing on the flood situation, concerned authorities complained about lack of funds to improve the canal system and protect the embankments.