KARACHI: All preventive and precautionary measures be adopted in advance to meet the challenges of eventuality of monsoon season or any flood situation in the province.
This was directed by Chief Minister Sindh, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, while presiding a high level meeting of Irrigation Department held at CM House here on Wednesday.
He said that the repair works of flood protective bunds, cleanliness of channels, desilting of water courses and storage of other monsoon material be ensured so that there is no problem at the time of difficulty.
Chief Minister added that Irrigation Department should ensure vigilance and patrolling on flood protective bunds while all works of repairs and rehabilitation be completed before the end of June 2012.
He said that it is responsibility of Irrigation engineers, Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners to evolve strategy with proper planning to combat the situation in case there are floods or heavy rains in the province of Sindh.
Syed Qaim Ali Shah informed that he will soon hold high level meeting in this regard to chalk out prompt measures in the interest of people and the province.
Besides, regular Video Conferencing will also be held with District Disaster Management Authorities to have prompt coordination and monitoring of day to day situation.
Chief Minister warned that any negligence on part of any officer or officials will not be tolerated and action will be taken against those negligent officers.
While reviewing the on-going rehabilitation works in rain affected areas, he directed that drains and nallas existing in various cities and towns be got cleared while pumping stations be properly looked after with pumping machines fully operational.
Qaim Ali Shah said that all Local Government institutions, Taluka Municipal Administrations should do the needful in advance as the drainage systems basically is matter of relevant municipal and local government institutions.
He also said that the rain water is still there in many areas and President Asif Ali Zardari has directed to clear those areas, and water pumping machines lying un-used be shifted to those areas where water has yet not been drained out.
Earlier, Sindh Irrigation Minister, Jam Saifullah Dharejo, and Sindh Irrigation Secretary presented detailed briefing about flood fighting and water draining out efforts (Rain-Flood-2011) and said that there was natural calamity during monsoon-2011 and Irrigation Department in collaboration of District Administration has performed tasks of flood fighting, rehabilitation of rain affected areas.
Secretary Irrigation assured the Chief Minister that the rehabilitation works will be completed upto 30th of June 2012.
It was informed that due to heavy rains of 2011, more than 7.25 million people were affected, while 2.1 million acre crops were damaged and big number of livestock had perished.
The meeting was attended by Sindh Agriculture Minister Syed Ali Nawaz Shah, Sindh Irrigation Minister Jam Saifullah Dharejo, Chief Secretary Sindh Raja Muhammad Abbas, Secretary Irrigation Babar Effendi, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Syed Sohail Akbar Shah, Secretary to Chief Minister Sindh Agha Jan Akhter, Project Director SIDA and others.