Rain emergency stirs panic

Emergency declared by the provincial government following the meteorological forecast of heavy rains during next few days in coastal districts of Sindh including Hyderabad has created trepidation amongst the people.
The heavy rain and thunderstorm that struck the city plunging it into darkness and flooding the low-lying area had deepened their fears.
The people of low-lying areas were seen shifting their belongings and kids to their relatives living at higher places.
Provincial Home Minister Rauf Siddique was first to arrive in Hyderabad soon after the rain and chaired a meeting of law enforcing, Irrigation and district government officials at local circuit house devoid of electricity.
He directed the police department to prepare a contingency plan for providing services to the people during the current monsoon season in the province. He said that the district and provincial governments are under obligations to take all possible measures to save the lives and properties of the people.
He said the police department should also co-ordinate with other department in safeguarding the people in case of any eventuality.
He directed the DCO to ensure that all the equipment and machinery for draining out water from the low-lying areas should be in order.
He categorically directed that all manholes should be covered to avoid loss of life. He said if single case of child falling in open manhole is reported, the concerned officials would be taken to task. Meanwhile, all hospitals in the district were put on high alert to deal with any eventuality during the rain or flood.
All districts and provincial government departments have been asked to take all precautionary measures and prepared plan for rescue and relief operation.
Sindh Revenue Minister Imtiaz Sheikh, who also arrived here on Saturday, said that all government and semi-government organisations should involve in the action plan prepared by the provincial government to meet the challenge of current monsoon season in the province.
Addressing a meeting of the management of board of revenue and relief commissioner, he directed the additional relief commissioner to maintain close co-ordination with the district, provincial, federal and semi-government organisations involved in the relief and rescue operation and circulate guidelines prepared by the provincial government.