Senior Sindh Minister, Syed Sardar Ahmed has called upon the political parties, government and volunteer organisations to come forward and join hands with the flood fighting agencies to help avert losses to lives and properties. This he observed while speaking at a press conference at Circuit House Hyderabad, on Tuesday.
The minister said we are passing through a crucial time and this was not the time to shift responsibilities & level allegations on each other, but was the time for undertaking joint efforts, failing which we all would be accountable to people.
He said it is a ground reality that at present, our embankments were not strong enough, saying it all happened because of less flow in Indus River since last 15 years. The embankments were not soaked properly, which according to him was very much essential for their strengthening.
Syed Sardar also admitted negligence of concerned administration, which let the encroachers occupy 'katcha' areas and erect constructions there. Such were the main difficulties being experienced by the administration, posing threats to the people.
He said he is on the visit to get feedback from the authorities on the flood situation and expressed his optimism that likewise other parts of downstream Kotri Barrage, Taluka Qasimabad, Taluka Latifabad and Kotri Barrage would be safe from flash floods because of timely steps by the provincial government.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Rural Development, Zubair Ahmed said his party stands with people in this difficult time and has deployed 3000 workers to participate in the work of re-strengthening of embankments of Indus River. Strict vigilance has also been placed at the site, he added. He said his party has also set up relief camps to provide assistance to the displaced people.
Sindh Minister for Fisheries, Zahid Ali Bhurgri said soon after the issuance of flood warning, President Asif Ali Zardari called a meeting and issued directives for assigning task to provincial ministers for monitoring the flood-fighting measures. Also, more than 3000 workers of PPP were deputed on the embankments, passing from Qasimabad and Latifabad talukas, for ensuring strict vigilance of flood fighting measures. He informed that at present, as many as 2000 people from katcha areas have been shifted to relief camps and other places.