Staff Reporter Lahore
Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has directed the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) to remain fully vigilant and the inflow and outflow of water in rivers, as well as weather conditions, be continuously monitored.
He issued the directives during his visit to PDMA head office on Monday to inspect the control room for monitoring monsoon season and possible flood situation.
He was briefed about the situation of rivers, the weather forecasting system, arrangements for dealing with the flood-related situation and relief activities.
Usman Buzdar emphasized that line departments should remain alert with their emergency plans and best coordination between federal and provincial departments be ensured.
All arrangements should be ready to deal with urban flooding, he added. The meeting reviewed arrangements to deal with urban flooding in cities.
The chief minister expressed the satisfaction that work has been started to develop an underground water tank in Lahore to store rainwater.
The underground water tank at Lawrence Road has been completed while the foundation stone of another underground water tank near Al-hamra will be laid soon, he added. Four underground water tanks will be constructed in Lahore, he said.
Usman Buzdar directed the PDMA to ensure the availability of necessary material in warehouses adding that dewatering sets should be fully functional alone with the availability of anti-venom vaccines in districts.
The meteorological department should submit its weather report daily and a daily report of rains in rivers’ catchment areas be compiles as well, he added.
The CM announced two months’ salary for PDMA staff as honorarium and assured to fulfill the responsibility of providing necessary resources.
The PDMA Minister Mian Khalid Mahmood, SMBR, secretary irrigation and others were also present.
