Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has directed all the concerned departments to remain vigilant and alert in the wake of any possible floods and also maintain close and continuous liaison with each other to cope with any emergent situation.
In this regard, necessary machinery and other equipment should also be made fully functional and flood emergency control rooms set up at the level of provincial, divisional and district should work 24 hours a day.
While giving approval for increase in financial aid to the heirs of persons died in different torrential rain-related accidents, Shahbaz said that amount of financial assistance has been increase from Rs 0.5 million to Rs 0.8 million for the heirs of bereaved families. He put his helicopter at the disposal of provincial cabinet committee for floods. While addressing through a video conference, Shahbaz said water situation in rivers should be monitored 24 hours. The Metrological Department should provide authentic weather information by using latest technology. He expressed displeasure over non-procurement of latest radar on time for the Meteorological Department and said that non-implementation of decisions, despite clear-cut instructions, is highly deplorable. Strict action will be taken against the responsible persons for the delay, he warned.
He directed to hold third-party audit of de-watering sets and other essential machinery items and said that ample stock of anti-venom vaccine and water purifying tablets should be made available. The health department should keep active first-aid teams and stock of essential medicines, he further directed.
He said commissioners and deputy commissioners should visit embankments and spurs and the provincial departments should be fully prepared to deal with the challenge of possible floods as formalities won't be tolerated and third-party audit of pre-arrangements would be held along with on-spot checking of certificates of third-party audit, the CM added.