Punjab Minister for Irrigation Amanat Ullah Khan Shadikhel has said that Committees headed by Deputy Commissioners have been constituted in order to monitor flood situation by watching spurs and banks of rivers constructed to avoid flood. These committees would keep close liaison with Irrigation Department staff in case of breach in canals, rivers or other emergency. The Irrigation Department field staff would remain on duty round the clock during monsoon while teams of Flood Safety Evaluation Cell are also sending their reports regarding state of irrigation infrastructure to relevant Chief Engineers so as to ensure safety measures.
Amanat Ullah Khan Shadikhel told this while presiding over a departmental meeting held here today to review flood preparation in the province. The meeting was also attended by senior officers of the concerned departments. The minister said that Punjab Chief Minister has decided to enhance the compensation money from 5 lac to 8 lac rupees for families of deceased of flood incidents. Injured would also get more money now. Chief Minister has also announced to hand over his helicopter to Provincial Cabinet Committee on Flood during monsoon season. He told that water level at all the rivers, nullahs and streams including that of Sialkot, Narowal, Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur are being vigilantly monitored and provincial and federal flood related institutions are working in close association to counter the flood situation. Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners themselves are observing the spurs and protection bunds to avoid any untoward situation, he added.
The Minister said that Flood Emergency Control Rooms established at Provincial, Divisional and District level are 24 hours functional. Flood fighting plans have been finalized at all the 54 irrigations zones in the province while mock exercises and joint inspections along with Pak Army have also been practiced by Punjab Irrigation Department Staff in the vulnerable areas in the back drop of flood.
