PM directs prompt measures to avert flood damages

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf Monday directed all federal and provincial concerned departments for well coordinated, effective and swift measures to avert damages from any floods in the monsoons.

Chairing a high-level meeting here at the PM Secretariat, the Prime Minister said "an effective response and real-time coordination" were vital to confront any eventuality in case of floods.

The meeting attended by Chief Secretaries of the provinces, Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu Kashmir, was informed about the damages caused in the floods of 2010-11 and the measures taken to mitigate the damage caused by the floods.

The Met Office in its briefing said monsoons are likely to hit the country in second week of July and was expecting 5 to 15 per cent more than normal rain this year.

Prime Minister Ashraf urged all the provincial governments for capacity building of the Provincial Disaster Management and District Management Authorities so that they are better prepared to meet any emergency.

He said the country witnessed unprecedented floods in 2010-11, that caused massive damage to infrastructure, precious crops, livestock and displacement of millions of people, particularly in the poverty-hit areas.

The Prime Minister said since the pre-monsoon has already set in, therefore there was a need to analyse the highlight of the factors that led to the wide scale damages and to work out a strategy to face any challenges.

PM Ashraf directed all concerned not to restrict themselves to safety of dam structure, but also to focus on accurate and timely flood warning system and dissemination of timely information to the public. He also suggested that the idea of intimating people through SMS service also be explored.

He said timely preventive measures can reduce the damages caused by the floods and hoped that accurate flood forecasting and institutional arrangements can mitigate the impact of the flood damages.

He said the nation has high hopes from the government and assured that all measures would be taken to lessen the impact, despite limited resources, available with the government.

The Prime Minister said the District Management Group can play an effective role in early warning, timely evacuation and rescue and relief and asked them to gear up for the task.

During the presentation, the meeting was also informed that the Emergency Relief Cell of the Cabinet Division has procured 30,000 tents, relief goods and has three helicopters at its disposal.

The Prime Minister directed the Secretary Water and Power to ensure safety of all electric grid stations and other installations.

He said it was vital that the cities and towns prepare ahead to pump out flood water and to clear all water ways of obstructions. He said all concerned departments should also put in place effective rescue and relief measures.

The meeting was also attended by officials of Ministry of Disaster Management, representatives of the disaster management authorities, Railways, National Highway Authority, agriculture and other concerned departments.