Long-term flood management measures urged

Liaquat Ali Jatoi, Minister for Water and Power has directed the Flood Commission to finalise comprehensive flood protection plan within a month as the government has doubled the allocation to Rs 1.8 billion in the next fiscal PSDP.
The minister said the government would provide all possible available resources for implementation of flood management measures on long-term and permanent basis under the comprehensive plan. He said this during the 42nd annual Inter- Provincial meeting to review the protection arrangements to be taken during flood season, here on Friday.
Met Department also informed that this year normal to above normal rains are expected and for that all emphasis should be on better co-ordination among the concerned agencies so that flood-like situation could be tackled properly.
Representatives of provincial governments, Met department, provincial relief commissioners, Wapda, Pak Army, Planning Commission, Railways and other attended the meeting, according to an official statement.
Expressing his concern over continuous flooding problem in Nowshera district due to river Kabul flows, the federal minister directed for ensuring inclusion of all those areas in their flood plan, which are affected every year due to floods.
The minister advised Met Department for assisting irrigation departments of NWFP and Balochistan in the provision of early warning system with a view to address the issue of flash floods and small reaction time besides extending the system to Northern Areas and Fata. Jatoi directed removal of encroachments from Nullah Leh especially in Javed Colony, Rawalpindi, with a view to avoid loss to life and property.
Earlier, representatives of provincial irrigation departments informed the meeting that work on all emergent flood protection projects was in progress and expected to be completed before the start of flood season.
All the provinces have taken precautionary and preparatory measures to combat any eventuality in the event of very high floods, the meeting was informed. The Met office informed that it was able to complete major improvements in the flood forecasting sector through up-gradation of weather radars of Lahore and Sialkot besides installation of a new state-of-the-art weather radar system at Mangla to monitor river Jhelum catchement. These radars would be in operation during the forthcoming flood season and would contribute in further improved flood forecasting during the season.
The meeting was informed that Wapda had also improved its flood telemetry system and would play its positive role during the flood season in real time hydromet data collection and dissemination.
Pakistan Commission for Indus Waters informed the meeting that in line with the requirements of user agencies adequate arrangements had been made with India for receipt of advance flood flow data from India relating to eastern rivers during the flood season.
The meeting was further informed that Flood Warning Cell, Lahore and Provincial Warning Cells would become operational with the start of the flood season and shall work round-the clock.