SUKKUR: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif arrived here Friday for a one day visit to review and get first hand information about the flood position in Sindh province.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Provincial Ministers, PML(N) leaders including MNA Marvi Memon, PML- N Vice President Saleem Zia and top officials welcomed the Prime Minister at Sukkur Airport.
The Prime Minister along with Sindh Chief Minister visited Sukkur Barrage and was given a briefing by Sindh Chief Secretary Sajjad Saleem Hotyana and Secretary Irrigation Babar Afandi. The PM was briefed through maps, charts, sketches and photographs about the prevailing flood position in Sindh and the precautionary measures adopted by the provincial government on the instructions and supervision of CM Syed Qaim Ali Shah.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that rescue and relief efforts for flood victims are top priority of the government adding that government has mobilised all available resources for the relief of flood-hit people. He lauded the courage of the affected population.
The Prime Minister said for coping with the situation, there should be ample availability of resources, availability of resources would made to protect homes and dykes be made more secure, the PM added.
The Chief Secretary said that due to decline in pressure the volume of flood water coming from upstream Sindh is in a safe position as far as the spread of flood along the embankments is concerned.
Secretary Irrigation said that rural areas including Kashmore, Kandhkot, Shikarpur, Sukkur, Khairpur, Naushero Feroze are at a high risk of damage by floods. However, 23,920 people of Sukkur including 16,560 people from Pano Aqil taluka, 4,280 people from Rohri taluka have been shifted to safer places. 15 Medical and rescue camps have been also set up in this regard, he informed.
He said the flood has affected a population of 87,587 in the province and added that cotton and rice were the main crops damaged by the floods.
He informed the Premier that precautionary measures have already been taken against floods after 251 villages of the province were inundated.
He also presented the figures related to water appraching Sukkur, Gudu and Kotri Barrages as well as those about the discharge of water.
At present our whole flood fighting machinery along with manpower is available at every sensitive point and the entire river Indus embankments have been raised from their previous level and strengthened to sustain high pressure flood.
Talking on the occasion the Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah informed the Prime Minister that day and night monitoring of all embankments is being conducted.
The CM said he was personally monitoring the whole situation, adding that all embankments have been made strong to sustain the pressure of a high flood.
He said that revenue and relief activities for the people of Katcha areas are being made on priority. He said that machinery and makeshift tents have been made available at the nearest points of the affected areas.
Secretary Irrigation also briefed the Prime Minister about the history and strength of Sukkur Barrage, it's off taking canals and behaviour of flood water.
He informed the Prime Minister that Sukkur Barrage has passed more than 12 lac cusecs water in 2010 and was strong enough to sustain the pressure of the upcoming flood.
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