Govt’s monsoon preparedness prevented major flood crisis

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari has said that the Punjab government carried out effective planning and preparations ahead of the monsoon season, preventing the kind of flood-related devastation witnessed in some other provinces. Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Bukhari said that while heavy rains caused widespread disruption in parts of the country, Punjab’s timely response ensured that rainwater was drained in record time after downpours. She stated that development projects are currently underway in 15 districts under the Punjab Development Programme, while hundreds of kilometres of new sewerage lines are being laid across the province. She added that the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) is operational in all districts and that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has equipped the department with modern machinery to improve its emergency response capacity. Bukhari said the provincial government is continuously monitoring water levels in rivers, dams, and barrages. She also highlighted the launch of the “Safe Roof Programme” on the instructions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to enhance public safety during the monsoon season. Referring to the recent heavy rainfall in Lahore, the minister said that despite five consecutive hours of rain, all underpasses in the city were cleared in record time. She added that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz personally supervised the drainage operation and noted that water flow in the Chenab River is now declining.