Helping flood victims is a national responsibility: CM

Govt releases Rs2 billion for relief, rescue operation

LAHORE:

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Thursday he would not tolerate any negligence in provision of relief to flood victims.

“Extending help to the flood-affected people is a national obligation,” the chief minister said during his visit to the calamity-hit Jhang, Athara Hazari, Garh Maharajah, Shorkot, Ahmedpur Sial, Chiniot and Bhowana.

He said flood-hit people would be compensated for the damage to their crops, cattle and houses.

He also inspected relief camps in Muzaffargarh and Layyah and met affected people. He also took an aerial view of flood-hit areas.

Sharif distributed relief items in Jhang, Shorkot, Athara Hazari, Garh Maharajah, Ahmedpur Sial, Wasu Aastana, Aik Sau Atharah and Daal Mor.

He visited a tent village and relief camps at Angura Goat Farm. More than 1,000 tents have been set up in the tent village. The chief minister said a makeshift hospital and a school had been set up in the tent village.

Sharif said the government would continue to help flood victims until their rehabilitation. “The flood is a challenge. We together will rise to the occasion. I will remain with the calamity-hit people until the floodwater recedes.”

The chief minister reviewed arrangements made to protect Muhammadwala Head in Muzaffargarh.

He was briefed that 95 per cent of people had been evacuated from near the flooding rivers. Sharif visited Bhowana tehsil of Chiniot and directed the administration to immediately remove the shortages of vaccine and medicines for the cattle. He suspended the Bhowana assistant commissioner from service for failing to provide food to the flood-affected people. He had arrived at the Suleman village at 5pm and learnt that flood victims had not been given lunch.

Separately, Cabinet Committee on Flood Relief chairman Shuja Khanzada said on Thursday Rs2 billion had been released for the relief and rehabilitation.

He told the media a committee had been formed to assess damage and rehabilitate flood victims.Food Minister Bilal Yasin, Population Welfare Minister Begum Zakia Shahnawaz and MPA Zaeem Hussain Qadri were also present.

Khanzada said 140,000 flood-affected people had been evacuated to safer places. He said 21 districts had been declared calamity-hit. He said 16 helicopters and hundreds of boats were being used to rescue the flood-hit people.

Khanzada said 550,000 cusecs water was flowing through Trimmu Head on River Chenab. He said a breach had been created in the embankment for the disposal of 120,000 cusecs. He said nearly 600,000 cusecs was expected to pass the area.

He said 350,000 cusecs flow was recorded at Muhammad Wala Barrage in Multan against a capacity of 150,000 cusecs. He said 200,000 cusecs was passing through Shershah Barrage.

“Evacuation of people from Athara Hazari has been completed.”

Khanzada said the government was focusing on flood-hit areas of Jhang and Multan. A big breach had been made at an embankment in Wajhana village, he said. He said 13 water-purification units had been sent to the calamity-hit areas. Yasin said 10,000 blankets, 5,000 quilts, 250,000 food hampers and 100,000 water bottles had been sent to flood-stricken people.

He said 24,000 people had been provided medical assistance. He said 10 trucks carrying medical kits had reached calamity-hit areas and 20 more trucks were being sent. He said of the 31 roads damaged by flood, 21 had been repaired.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 12^th, 2014.