ISLAMABAD Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani could not land in Mianwali on Tuesday afternoon due to approaching bad weather and he had to return back to Islamabad. The Prime Minister was supposed to visit and meet the flood affectees in Mianwali. However, the helicopter had to turn back a few miles away from the destination. He was accompanied by Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, State Minister for Information Samsam Ali Bokhari and Chairman NDMA, Lt Gen (Retd) Nadeem. While coming back, the Prime Minister was able to take an aerial view of different areas affected by heavy rains. Earlier in the morning, the Prime Minister had to cancel his visit to the flood affected areas of Swat and Malakand because of bad weather. The Metrological Office informed that the entire route was covered with clouds and rough weather was expected later in the afternoon. On return to Islamabad, the Prime Minister was briefed about the ongoing relief operations by the Chairman NDMA. He apprised that NDMA in collaboration with all the relevant Federal Ministries and organisations, including the Armed Forces, was reaching out to the affected population despite broken roads and rough weather. The Minister for Water and Power briefed the Prime Minister on the operation of major dams and barrages in the country. He also apprised him of the damage incurred to the power infrastructure due to heavy rains and floods. The Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to coordinate with the NDMA and MET Office and hold daily briefing for the media till the time the crisis was over. He also asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to hold a special briefing in collaboration with NDMA for the ambassadors of different countries and the heads of international agencies based in Islamabad. He also directed the Chairman NDMA to keep him posted of the developments on a daily basis. The Prime Minister observed that heavy rains and floods had caused great damage to the properties of the people as well as the entire infrastructure. The relief and assistance exercise, he said, would require contribution of all people who could extend any help. It is an enormous challenge, he said, but not greater than the courage and the will of the people. The Prime Minister said while the Federal Government and all its organisations as well as the Provincial Governments would do everything possible, the civil society and social welfare organisations also needed to extend a helping hand. On this occasion, he thanked the assistance assured by various countries like China, Australia, USA, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Germany, Japan and UK and the United Nations. The Prime Minister further said that the flood affectees should not consider themselves alone in this hour of distress and the Government was with them and trying to do everything possible to lessen their difficulties. He lauded their willpower, patience and courage in facing such a big natural calamity.