PDMA directed to remain alert for monsoon challenges

LAHORE:Provincial Minister for Disaster Management Mian Khalid Mahmood chaired the maiden meeting of the cabinet committee for disaster management at Civil Secretariat on Wednesday.

The meeting was attended by provincial ministers Mohsin Leghari, Hussain Jahanian Gardezi, M Sibtain Khan, chief secretary and administrative secretaries.

Deputy Commissioners participated through video link. The PDMA and line departments briefed the participants about their arrangements for dealing with the monsoon. The minister informed the participants that the Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has been directed to remain alert in the wake of the start of the monsoon season from June 17 in Punjab. A monitoring cell has started working from June 14 in the PDMA, he added. The government has issued necessary instructions to different departments, local government institutions, as well as rescue 1122, to complete their arrangements, he said. The irrigation department has been directed to ensure necessary repair and maintenance of its canal infrastructure while the agriculture department will assist in rescue operations along with informing about the agricultural lands around rivers and canals. Similarly, the livestock department will vaccinate animals by holding field camps, he added.

LWMC: On the directions of Chief Executive Officer Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) Ms Rafia Haider LWMC has prepared an emergency response plan to discharge of storm water during rainy season.

The major objective of the plan is to make drainage of water smooth by removing solid waste and silt from drains/choking points/low lying areas and efficiently address the emergency situations during monsoon.

The plan intends optimum utilisation of available resources of manpower, vehicles and equipment to achieve the desired results during the rainy season. In order to coordinate and ensure smooth implementation of this plan, LWMC has established a control room which will be operational round the clock to coordinate with other district departments and field staff of LWMC. Similarly, zonal offices are there to respond as quickly as possible in the case of an emergency or rainfall. During the implementation of this plan, LWMC will maintain close liaison with Wasa and Regional Meteorological Department.