Govt chalksout plans for natural hazards

PESHAWAR: The provincial government has chalked out a comprehensive plan to quickly disseminate information and warning against floods to people through media.

According to Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) here on Wednesday, the KPK Information Department has made adequate arrangements to disseminate information against floods and other natural hazards to people. Pakhtunkhwa Radio FM 92.2 MHz Peshawar and Pakhtunkhwa Radio FM 92.6 MHz Mardan will broadcast advance warnings to sensitize public as soon as they are received.

Both the FM Radios will also guide public about nearby safer places, food stuff, health-care facilities, health tips and other precautionary measures. Besides ensuring the publication of flood-related reports of Irrigation Department on daily-basis in the local, regional and national newspapers, the Directorate of Information will also arrange press briefings/press conferences for any officer and official during natural catastrophe.

The FM Radio Stations, whenever needed, will broadcast special programs to facilitate flood-affecters and officers from health, irrigation, population departments. The directorate will liaison with all other concerned departments to participate in such programs.

The PDMA statement said to achieve and undertake above, the department needs updated information. Therefore, PDMA, Irrigation Department and others will have to liaise with focal person of the Directorate and keep him abreast of the flood situation, imminent dangers and remedial measures, which will be consequently passed on to people of the province through mass media in order to avoid possible losses both to life and property.

The PDMA has undertaken a series of flood preparedness meetings with districts and provincial departments. The DG PDMA in consultation with Chief Secretary Khyber Pakthunkhwa would be responsible for Flood Response & Relief Operations.

Director Relief PDMA on his behalf will head a Composite Team comprising representatives of Lead Agency/Department and focal persons of support organizations to coordinate response and relief operations.

All relevant departments and agencies to provide focal person and representative to form part of provincial response team when requested. The Provincial Emergency Operation Centre has been established and notified for facilitation of people.

The Cell would receive and transmit flood and water level information in flood season and on hourly basis during emergency.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011