NDMA chief briefed on monsoon contingency plan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Nine districts declared most vulnerable

PESHAWAR: National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Lt Gen Omar Mahmood Hayat paid a visit to Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) headquarters here on Thursday to review progress on the preparation of monsoon contingency plan for the year 2017.

Secretary Relief, Rehabilitation and Settlement Department Ahmad Hanif Orakzai, DGs of PDMA and FDMA along with senior officers of the organisation were also present, said a press release.

DG PDMA Amer Afaq briefed the guest on coordination mechanism and all steps involved in the preparation of the monsoon contingency plan and the progress achieved so far.

He informed that the overall preparations being made to mitigate the effects of the upcoming monsoon. The DG PDMA further said that preparedness measures have been undertaken and contingency plans put in place for managing any possible disaster situation. He added nine districts including Peshawar, Nowshera, Charrsada, Dera Ismail Khan, Chitral, Swat, Shangla, Upper Dir and Lower Dir have been declared as most vulnerable.

"The PDMA has released funds to these districts and will also provide additional funds to the vulnerable districts' administration when needed," he said, adding that the authority also had sufficient relief goods, which would be distributed to all the districts in times of emergency. He also stated that the concerned line department and stakeholders have established control rooms for coordination with PDMA headquarters in case of any disaster and would provide quick  support to the victims. He reiterated that pre-positioning of logistics/stocks has been ensured to meet any eventuality during the monsoon season.

The chairman NDMA was also briefed on the newly revamped Provincial Emergency Operation Centre (PEOC), which is being upgraded as a hub of coordination.