Govt ready to combat possible flood: minister

LAHORE

Provincial Minister for Food Bilal Yasin has said the Punjab government is ready to combat possible flood in an effective manner. 

He said that instructions had been issued to the departments concerned to remain alert.

He was addressing a meeting on flood arrangements at Civil Secretariat.  The irrigation secretary, chief meteorologist and other officers were also present. The meeting reviewed the protective measures against potential floods.

PDMA Director General Jawad Akram said that demand for necessary items had been received from all district administrations, and tenders would be invited from pre-qualified firms within a few days. He said that tents, boats, plastic mats, life jackets, blankets and other necessary items were available in abundance in the warehouse of PDMA.

The irrigation secretary informed the meeting that repair work of spurs and embankments was continuing speedily, whereas operation was also continuing for the removal of encroachments. 

The chief meteorologist said that there was a forecast of heavy rains in mid June.

Bilal Yasin issued instructions that all departments should remain alert and in close contact with each other to cope with any emergency situation.

He said that instructions had been issued to the tehsil and district administrations for the disposal of rainwater in monsoon.

Monsoon arragments: The City District Government Lahore (CDGL) on Friday held a pre-monsoon meeting and directed all the departments concerned to be vigilant and up-to-date.

The Lahore DCO chaired the meeting and got briefings from different departments on their preparedness level regarding monsoon. The DCO directed Wasa to start de-silting of all small and big drains besides arranging generators and water pumps to meet any emergency situation.

Walk: The Vets Care Club of University of Veterinary and Animals Sciences, Lahore, observed World Veterinary Day on Friday. 

A walk was organised to mark the day and create awareness among the community about the welfare of animals. 

Prof Dr Nasim Ahmad led the walk while Prof Dr Sarwar Khan, Prof Dr Habib-ur-Rehman, Prof Dr. Anila Zameer Durrani, Prof Dr Asim Aslam, Prof Dr Masood Rabbani and a large number of students participated in it.

The walk started from the Vice-Chancellor Office and culminated in outdoor hospital after taking a round of the UVAS city campus.

Prof Dr Nasim Ahmad urged the faculty members and students to work for the welfare of animals. He lauded the volunteer efforts of Vets Care Club members for the development of veterinary profession through their various healthy indoor and outdoor activities for the veterinary studies.