LAHORE - Home Minister Col (retd) Shuja Khanzada has warned of flood situation in Jhelum and Chenab by the end of August.
“For last four days, SUPARCO and the meteorological department are forecasting continuous rains which can create a situation of flood. But the Punjab government has already completed all necessary preparations,” said Khanzada, who is also the chairman of CM’s Committee on Flood.
At the present, the situation in these two rivers is normal, he said, adding the departments concerned have been asked to inform about the discharge of water in dams and the rains in India.
According to the minister, the government had been making arrangements for flood since March several meetings were held to review the progress on rescue, relief activities and rehabilitation of flood affected people.
Khanzada, who was addressing a press conference in the office of Punjab Disaster Management Authority, added the government has released Rs530 million to the district administrations whereas a grant of Rs1 billion to PDMA.
He was accompanied by Punjab government spokesman Zaeem Qadri and PDMA DG Jawad Akram.
In seven severely hit districts, including Dera Ghazi Khan, Layyah, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Mianwali and Bhakkar, overall 469 villages, 336,000 people and 200,071 acres land have so far been affected by flood.
However, the minister claimed, there was minimum loss to human lives due to timely efforts. Seven million SMS were sent regarding flood and the pre-information through mobile has greatly helped, he said. PDMA’s helpline 1129 has been highly appreciated by international donors who have asked to expand its scope to entire Pakistan, he told the media.
“Relief work in these flood-hit districts is already continued,” he added.
“The Punjab government has transferred 530 million rupees at the discretion of districts for meeting any emergent situation whereas 16.87 million rupees have been released to Pak-Army for fuel and road maintenance.
“140 relief camps have been set up in seven districts where 16909 people are staying and they are being provided meal three times a day. 33,000 tents, 13,500 food hampers and 82,000 bottles of mineral water have been distributed in flood-hit areas.”
Medical camps are also working in the flood-hit areas and fodder is being provided to the farmers for their animals, he added.
Khanzada informed the media that Rescue 1122 saved 149693 people. “All the rescue operations were carried out by Rescue 1122, who received training from Pak-Army.
The flood committee chairman also said the investigation about the Jhakar Imam Shah bund was in process and stern action would be taken against the persons responsible.