Flood control arrangements: ‘Desilting Muridke Dek need of the hour’

Lahore commissioner chairs meeting on flood control measures

LAHORE: Commissioner Abdullah Khan Sumbal on Thursday stressed the importance of finalising arrangements to deal with floods.

He was chairing a meeting on flood control arrangements. Sumbal said no negligence would be tolerated on this account. He said the forthcoming three to four weeks were crucial in this regard. The commissioner directed the DCOs to implement a strategy devised to deal with any untoward situation and implement flood control arrangements in letter and spirit.

He said desilting the Muridke Dek was the need of the hour. The commissioner said this was the responsibility of the Irrigation Department. The commissioner said dealing with floodwater in Hajikot required comprehensive efforts. He said it would be made certain that measures were taken on this account.

The commissioner said elected representatives had a crucial role to play with regard to flood control arrangements. Sumbal was informed that Rescue-1122 had obtained 10 large boats with the assistance of the Punjab Disaster Management Authority. He praised the Water and Sanitation Agency for quickly draining rainwater in the city. He said the authorities had been visiting all vulnerable spots to inspect arrangements. MPAs Chaudhry Shahbaz, Peer Ashraf Rasool, Ramazan Siddique Bhatti, the Lahore and Sheikhupura DCOs, the WASA MD, the ACs and officials of the Irrigation Department and Recue-1122 were also present on the occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 24^th, 2015.