Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Thursday directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to ensure that people in the cyclone affected area are provided timely relief, food, medical aid and shelter.
The National Disaster Management Authority that is already operating a control cell at the PM Secretariat continued to monitor the situation and directed relief flights to the affected areas.
Three of the four C-130s dispatched by the cabinet division and containing relief goods for the people affected by cyclone reached Quetta and will be distributed in Pasni, Ormara and Quetta.
The fourth C-130 carrying relief goods for Sibi will depart on Wednesday because of bad weather at Chaklala, an official at the NDMA told APP. He said the cell, operating round the clock, is working in coordination with the Provincial Disaster Management Authorities in Balochistan and Sindh.
The NDMA official said there were no reports of any breach at the Mirani dam, though the water level was at danger zone at 270 feet, 10 feet above the red zone. The dam has a capacity to hold water up to 286 feet.
The relief goods will be distributed in the affected areas through eight helicopters, four each of Pak Army and Navy in relief and rescue operation in worst hit Turbat district. In Turbat, that was almost cut-off as heavy rains washed away all roads, about 800 to 1,000 people have been moved to safer places and were being provided food, potable water and necessary items.
The three worst affected districts of Gwadar, Ketch and Jhal Magsi had also been cut off as lashing rains washed away sections of road. The local administration was providing food, water shelter and medical aid to the affected people while the marooned were being moved to safer places through helicopters.
The relief goods comprising medicines, tents, mattress, mineral water, rice and food bags are being distributed among the cyclone-affected people of Turbat, Sibi, Pasni and Quetta.
Director General, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Waheed Arshad told a local channel that nine helicopters providing relief items to stranded people and evacuating them to safer places.
He said 13 fully loaded helicopters were also ready to take part in relief activities in Turbat, Pasni, Gwadar and Mara subject to the clearance of weather.
Helicopters of Pakistan Navy were also rescuing fisherman on the third consecutive day. Meanwhile military helicopters were also providing food and water to around 1,500 people marooned adjacent to the coastal highway, after sections of road were washed away.
Meanwhile the met office said no heavy rains were expected in the next two to three days in Balochistan and Sindh, easing the task of relief and rescue. Director General Met Department Qamar-uz-Zaman Chaudhry said monsoon rains were expected in next two to three days in north Punjab.
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