Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday visited Ravi River in view of apprehension of likely flood and reviewed water situation in the river.Mohsin Naqvi ordered the concerned departments and institutions to monitor water flow 24 hours and ensure evacuation of localities for the protection of human lives present in the bed of Ravi River.
Caretaker CM Mohsin Naqvi while directing Irrigation department, PDMA, Rescue 1122 to remain alert and complete all necessary arrangements ordered to set up relief and medical camps in the localities of River Ravi and get all preparations completed. There is no scope of committing any negligence or inefficiency with regard to making prior arrangements.
Caretaker CM Mohsin Naqvi inspected the command post of medical camp and Rescue 1122 and witnessed mock exercises of Rescue 1122. Commissioner Lahore Division Muhammad Ali Randhawa while giving a briefing about arrangements being made to cope up with the likely flood situation informed that India has released185000 cusec water from Ujh Barrage to River Ravi and presently 14 thousand cusec water is passing through River Ravi.
The administration has completed all necessary arrangements to cope up with any untoward situation. Later, Caretaker CM Mohsin Naqvi while talking with the media persons said that India has released water as per routine and there is no danger of flood for the time being. India had released same amount of water last year and 31 thousand cusec water had reached here. The whole administration is alert due to recent rains and to cope up with likely apprehension of flood.
Secretary and Inspector General of Police reviewed prior arrangements in 4 hours long meeting yesterday. Provincial Ministers are present in the field and are monitoring the situation. We will make all arrangements whatever is humanly possible. We are ensuring evacuation of localities for the protection of human lives at the river bed. Encroachments have been established at the river bed which are essential to be eliminated. We have started prior arrangements and preparations in view of likely flood danger. Relief camps at 19 places in Lahore and at 16 places at Sheikhupura have been established.
In reply to a question Mohsin Naqvi stated that by releasing excess water from India a flood situation can arise in the rivers of Punjab. We received information at 10:00 am in the morning of releasing water by India and relevant departments reached River Ravi forthwith. Provincial Minister Bilal Afzal has reached to review river flow and water channel arrangements in Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur. Settlements should not be established at the river beds as it causes impediments in the water flow.Arrangements have been launched to effectively deal with the danger of dengue in Punjab.
Chief Secretary and Inspector General of Police conducted an important meeting with regard to security arrangements during Muharram-ul- Haram yesterday and gave a final shape to the preparations in this regard.CBD project on Walton road will be completed in 8 months and next year there will be no issue of water standing on the Walton road.
It is our foremost priority to save a human live in the case of flood and that is why we are getting vacated mud houses in the river bed. Livestock present in the river beds will also be evacuated. Provincial Ministers Azfar Ali Nasir, Mansoor Qadir, Amir Mir, Additional Chief Secretary, Senior Member Board of Revenue, Secretary Finance, Secretary Livestock, CCPO Lahore, Commissioner Lahore division, DGPR, Deputy Commissioner Lahore, DG Rescue 1122,DG PDMA and concerned officials were also present on the occasion.
