PM announces Rs1 bn for Sindh flood-victims

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday announced rupees one billion for the flood-affected people of Sindh and emphasised the provincial government to devise a strategy to use this money for flood mitigation, making arrangements for flood control and protective works as per the provincial priority and technical approval of the Federal Flood Forecasting.
The prime minister visited the flood-affected areas of Sindh, including Sukkur and Qadirpur Bund, to review the flood situation and relief and rescue measures undertaken by the federal and provincial bodies responsible for flood management.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and chief secretary Sindh received him at the airport. The PM took an aerial view of the flood-affected areas on his way to the Qadirpur Bund at Ghotki. He went to the extreme end of the Bund where he was briefed by the secretary irrigation Sindh, DG PDMA Sindh and commissioner Sukkur Division about the extent of the flood and the number of population affected.
The provincial authorities informed the PM that timely evacuation and early warnings had helped control human loss and even infrastructure damage was mitigated due to preventive measures for the flood control. He was informed that sufficient relief items including dry ration, tents, blankets and medicines were being provided and more than 250 relief camps had been set up. He was informed that about 42 medical camps were operational in the Sukkur Division.
The PM was apprised that all kinds of light and heavy machinery had been deployed and there was sufficient equipment available as a backup in the stocks.The PM appreciated efforts of the provincial government, the NDMA, PDMA and Sukkur administration but urged them to remain vigilant till the end of the monsoon season and focus on the flood control and flood management. He also had an interaction with the flood-affected people in the area and distributed relief goods among them.
The PM directed that methods and planning be outlined and prepared for preventing the flood incidence to the minimal level, so that the damage to life and property was contained in case of natural disasters.
He further exhorted to raise the standards of preparedness for disaster management. He said that he was monitoring the flood situation personally and will keep visiting the flood areas to supervise the relief and rescue activities. He appreciated the provincial government for their efforts and assured full cooperation of the federal government. Federal Minister for Information Senator Pervaiz Rashid and Federal Minister for Climate Change Senator Mushahidullah Khan accompanied him.