PESHAWAR
The Minister for Local Government and Rural Development Faisal Amin Gandapur has lauded the overall performance of local bodies in the drainage, rescue and relief operations during the recent monsoon rains.
However, he directed authorities of all the municipal bodies to take coordinated action and develop exemplary liaison with the relief department, PDMA, Rescue 1122 and other agencies instead of individual efforts in overcoming urban flooding and its losses to the local population.
Addressing the progress review meeting about the preparations of municipal bodies on monsoon rains and floods at Local Government Secretariat Peshawar, he directed the local government authorities to especially focus on urban drainage systems and ensure smooth diversion of the flood water to big watercourses.
The operations in the merged districts must be excelled to protect communities from flood damages and action should be taken against encroachments along drains and watercourses on an emergency basis as they were causing obstructions in the way of drainages, he added.
“TMAs, Water and Sanitation Companies (WSSCs) and Local Area Development Authorities should form special inspection and demolish squads wherein all kinds of encroachments must be demolished and debris removed immediately without delay,” he stated.
Faisal Amin Gandapur expressed his grief and regrets that despite all the sincere efforts of the provincial government, precious lives and properties were damaged due to heavy rains and floods in some areas of the province, hence all the local bodies and rescue organizations should not sit at ease even after the rains but prepare for the next natural disasters.
“Instead of sitting back, start preparing hard to face the new sudden natural calamities so that people can be saved from further suffering,” he maintained.
The Local Government Minister also expressed a deep sense of shock over the recent storm and rain in the southern districts including Dera Ismail Khan, Tank and Karak and the loss of precious lives and properties. However he praised the role of the local bodies and relief agencies for rescuing and helping the people in a timely manner during urban flooding.
He said that people faced a lot of sufferings and losses from torrential rain and flood in Ramak Drain of DIK city upto Jhok Masud and Chandna villages, but he also showed his satisfaction over the spirit of provincial relief agencies in this regard.
Faisal Amin Gandapur clarified that about three more weeks are left to the end of the monsoon season and more rains have been predicted during this time, so the local bodies authorities and rescue organizations across the province should keep themselves on high alert and continue joint preparations to cope with the emergency situation and also to continue the joint rescue operations instead of solo flights of the rescue teams of different departments and organizations, he concluded.
