Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for collective efforts to meet the recurring challenge of natural disasters especially floods in the coming years. He was chairing a meeting in Narowal today where he was given a detailed briefing on the devastation caused by floods in the country.The Prime Minister emphasized the need for enhancing the water storage capacity to mitigate the impact of flash floods.

He said we have to generate resources for this purpose, expressing the confidence that the federal and provincial governments have the capacity to find solution to this issue.Highlighting the importance of construction of Diamer Bhasha and Mohmand Dams, he said there are also points in Chiniot where water storage capacity can be built.

Similarly, he said small dams can be constructed in the North. He said apart from NDMA and PDMAs, allied departments will also have to demonstrate preparedness to deal with natural disasters.Expressing grief and sorrow over the death and destruction caused by floods, the Prime Minister appreciated the armed forces for working in close coordination with the civil administration in rescue and relief efforts.  

In her remarks on the occasion, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz assured that no effort would be spared in fully rehabilitating the damaged infrastructure and compensating those who suffered losses. She said the people and the livestock were timely rescued and evacuated from the flood hit areas. Referring to the inundation of Gurdwara, the Punjab Chief Minister directed the immediate drainage of water to facilitate the Sikh community. 

She said field hospitals have been activated to deal with the issue of water borne diseases. About one thousand clinics on wheels have been diverted to the flood-hit areas.  Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal emphasized the need for identifying the gaps in infrastructure to mitigate the impact of floods. The Chairman NDMA briefed the meeting about the losses caused by the floods.

He stated that the intensity and duration of this year's monsoon is greater than in the past years. He described the flood-related losses as unprecedented. He also mentioned the presence of high floodwaters in Chenab, Sutlej and Ravi. The Prime Minister accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also took an aerial view of the flood-hit areas.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)