On the instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has written a letter to the Punjab emergency services and the deputy commissioners to prevent the situation like the one witnessed in Swat where more than dozen people lost their lives after they were swept away by swollen Swat River.

In his letter, PDMA DG Irfan Ali Kathia had told the deputy commissioners of Sialkot, Narowal, Gujranwala, Rajanpur and Dera Ghazi Khan that flash floods are feared in their districts, so, therefore, they should take precautionary measures to deal with emergencies at places vulnerable to floods.

“Keep the district emergency operation centers functional 24/7,” the PDMA DG has directed. He has directed the irrigation department and Rescue 1122 to identify the picnic spots in these vulnerable areas.  Kathia has told them that there is a complete ban on taking bath in rivers, canals and rain drains during the monsoon season.

“So take strict action against those violating the ban,” he has said, adding, “Run campaigns in vulnerable areas by installing signboards and by making announcements from mosques so that the locals, especially tourists, could be made aware of the hazards of bathing during the rainy season.

”The DG has also told them that there is also a complete ban on cramming people into boats beyond their capacity and swimming without life jackets. "Hence, take strict action against the boat owners found involved in overloading.”  He has also directed that there should be patrolling at vulnerable areas by the police.

“Deploy Rescue 1122 and Civil Defence employees at vulnerable places forthwith,” he has ordered. Kathia has made it clear to the concerned officials and departments that there are clear instructions from the chief minister that no negligence will be tolerated in this regard. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)