PM Shehbaz decides to himself monitor flood situation during monsoon

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has decided to monitor himself the flood situation expected after monsoon rains, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has instructed all concerned institutions to be on high alert during monsoon.

The Prime Minister has set up a high-level committee to deal with any emergency situation related to monsoon.

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) should support all provincial governments and related institutions regarding monsoon, PM directed.

The Prime Minister further directed that provision of advance information regarding the monsoon should be ensured to the people of the affected areas in an emergency situation.

Farmers and people living in the vicinity of rivers and canals should be informed in advance through media and other sources on a daily basis, Prime Minister directed.

A review meeting was held today in Islamabad under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif to deal with the forecast of monsoon and the emergency situation arising from it.

In the meeting, a detailed briefing was given by NDMA on the monsoon forecast so far and the expected danger areas.

It was briefed that heavy monsoon rains are expected in the four provinces in the first and second week of July and monsoon rains this year will move from southeast to north in Pakistan.

Flood conditions are expected in river Sutlej, Chenab and Ravi in the first two weeks of August, said in briefing.

The meeting was also apprised of the preparations for rescue and relief in case of any emergency of the population on the banks of Sutlej and Chenab.

Adequate stocks of boats, tents, pumps for drainage, medicines and other essential items have been kept throughout the country.

Rescue agencies, PDMAs, Pakistan Army troops and NDMA are constantly on high alert in the affected areas.

NDMA has introduced a mobile app for monsoon alert and weather conditions as well as advance information which is being used by people.

In the meeting, the chief secretaries of the four provinces gave a briefing on the plan of action to deal with the monsoon and any emergency situation in their respective provinces.

Federal Ministers Ahad Khan Cheema, Ataullah Tarar, Rana Tanveer Hussain, Chairman NDMA Lt. Gen. Inam Haider Malik and relevant senior officials participated in the meeting. The chief secretaries of the four provinces participated in the meeting through video link.

Reporter: Awais Kiyani