Keeping in view the warning issued by National Disaster Management Authority {NDMA) about expected heavy rains, Sindh government on Thursday once again issued directives to all concerned departments for high alert and immediate measures in this monsoon season in order to avoid huge losses, Business Recorder was learnt.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued warning to government with information that 20 percent more rains are expected this year so that province should take immediate measures to avoid from huge losses.
Well-informed sources told Business Recorder that Sindh Chief Secretary Raja Muhammad Abbas has second time called a meeting at his office to review the situation, which would be emerged in this monsoon season.
Raja Abbas advised the Secretary Works & Services to ensure liaisoning with the Divisional Commissioners of province, while working on repair, renovation and construction of roads and culverts in affected or damaged by heavy rains of 2011 and super floods of 2010.
He also emphasised upon strengthening co-ordination with PDMA by the Revenue, Irrigation, Agriculture and Works & Services departments to furnish the progress of the machinery and equipment and ensure their availability in emergency, in consultation with PDMA.
Secretary Rehabilitation briefed the meeting that training has been given to the staff concerned in various districts, enabling them to cope with heavy rains and floods. The meeting also reviewed the dewatering plan of major towns/cities of Sindh, progress on LBOD (Left Bank Out-full Drain), allotment of funds for Relief/Rescue Operations, Rainee Canal, Nara water supply scheme, development works within 80km of international border and issues of coal mining activities, sources told.
The meeting also reviewed the powers and functions of PDMA, monsoon hazards in Sindh, Pre-monsoon (2012) preparations, and flood stores available with PDMA.
Those who attended the meeting include Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Suhail Akbar Shah, Secretary Irrigation Babar Effendi, Provincial Co-ordinator PDMA Syed Faisal Saud, Commissioners Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur & Mirpurkhas and others.
Chief Secretary asked the concerned officials to focus on Mirpurkhas and Sukkur divisions in this monsoon, sources concluded.