Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Saturday asked the government functionaries to adopt a pro-active approach to get prepared in advance for any natural calamity. He was chairing a high-level meeting to review the loss caused by the recent cyclone and the relief work carried out by the authorities concerned in this regard.
The prime minister said the government was planning to use the weather information from Met Office for making advance preparations for the future cyclones or storms.
He said advance shifting of people from the cyclone-prone areas helped save many precious lives, which otherwise could lead to a death toll of up to 15,000.
The prime minister appreciated the prompt action by the provincial government in coping with the adversities of cyclone and rains, and pledged all possible assistance by the federal government. He also mentioned the importance of co-ordination between the provincial and local governments to mitigate the effects of natural calamity, that rendered thousands of people homeless.
Shaukat Aziz lauded the city administration for improving the drainage system, and termed it a good example of learning from last year's experience when rains had inundated city's most roads.
He asked the media to play effective role in disseminating accurate update of the situation. Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad said major loss of lives occurred due to collapse of roofs and walls at various places. Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim mentioned the co-ordinated efforts by various government and civic bodies, which was a positive development in dealing with a civic problem.
City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal said 89 persons died in Karachi due to rains, including 22 electrocuted, while 63 from the collapse of walls, roofs and billboards. As many as 1,092 houses were totally damaged, while 3,000 were partially ruined, he added.
He said 12 relief camps had been set up in advance soon after the information about cyclone was approaching, adding about 19 more medical camps will be set up soon. Water and Power Minister Liaquat Jatoi said his ministry was monitoring the release of water from the dams.
Met Office Director General Qamaruz Zaman Chaudhry predicted of more rains, saying the storm in Pakistan was of less intensity as compared to other regions along the Arabian Sea. National Disaster Management Authority Chairman Major General Farooq Ahmad Khan briefed the prime minister about the relief work carried out so far.
FATEHA OFFERED: Shaukat Aziz and other participants, including Sindh Chief Minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim, Federal Water & Power Minister Liaquat Ali Jatoi, Ports & Shipping Minister Babar Khan Ghouri, Communication Minister Shamim Siddiqi, and National Chairman Disaster Management Authority Major General Farooq Ahmad Khan, offered fateha for those who died during the recent heavy rains and storm.