A meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Flood Control was held to review pre-flood arrangements, at Civil Secretariat here on Thursday. Presiding over the meeting, Provincial Minister Malik Nadeem Kamran directed deputy commissioners to ensure removal of encroachments along rivers and nullahs. He said that natural calamities like floods can be dealt with in a better manner through planning and coordinated efforts. Chief Secretary Punjab Capt (r) Zahid Saeed directed relevant departments to finalize all necessary arrangement for dealing with possible flood. He ordered that repair and construction work at river embankments be completed as soon as possible. He said that deputy commissioners should personally visit dykes and identify the areas vulnerable to possible flooding. He also directed the provincial departments to extend full cooperation to district administrations. He said that the departments concerned should pay special attention to enhance their capability to deal with natural disaster. He directed that a comprehensive plan be devised for provision of boats and other necessary equipment to districts. The Chief Secretary directed that mock exercises be carried out and meetings of district disaster committees be held regularly. He also issued instructions regarding arrangements for wheat procurement and census. DG PDMA told the meeting that the central flood warning control room will start working from June 15 and district control rooms would send data to it on daily basis. He said that boats, relief goods and other equipment have been provided to districts as per their demand. Those among present were Senior Member Board of Revenue, administrative secretaries of Irrigation and Agriculture department, representatives of Met Office, National Highway Authority whereas Provincial Food Minister Bilal Yasin, Secretary Food and deputy commissioners joined the meeting through video link.
