DLP Report
PESHAWAR
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information and Public Relations Minister Shafi Jan on Monday said all relevant departments have been fully mobilised in the field to respond to any emergency situation during the ongoing monsoon season.
According to a statement issued here from the minister’s office, a comprehensive monsoon contingency plan has been implemented across the province. Under the plan, emergency arrangements of all 37 districts and 12 frontline departments have been activated.
The minister said special teams have been deployed to address flood and glacial lake outburst flood risks in northern districts, while measures have been taken to tackle heatwave conditions in southern parts of the province.
He said command and control systems, emergency response plans and district control rooms were operational across the province. Before the monsoon season, 42 water rescue points, 185 relief camps and emergency relief supplies were prepared.
According to Shafi Jan, 4,164 kilometres of routes along rivers and waterways have been mapped for rescue operations, while leave of Rescue 1122 personnel has been cancelled and staff deployed in the field.
He said modern equipment-equipped water rescue points have been established in 17 sensitive districts, while Rs505 million relief funds have been allocated for five districts vulnerable to glacier-related hazards. A monitoring system has also been established in eight valleys to respond to possible glacial lake outburst floods.
The minister said a special heatwave response mechanism has been activated in 14 districts. For flood emergencies, 503 heavy machinery units have been deployed, while cleaning of 87.4 kilometres of urban waterways has been completed.
He added that encroachments from 2,433 kanals of land along waterways have been removed, while special teams have been stationed at 38 urban flood hotspots in Peshawar.
He said a modern telemetry system for river monitoring is operational at 22 locations, while flood monitoring, alternate route planning and emergency access arrangements have been completed on 55 highways.
The minister said cleaning of drains and stormwater channels in all urban centres has been completed, while dewatering machines have already been positioned in major cities, including Peshawar.
He added that an integrated coordination mechanism has been established among all relevant departments to ensure a quick and effective response during emergencies.
Shafi Jan said protection of public lives and property remains the provincial government’s top priority and urged citizens to cooperate with police and district administrations, particularly while visiting tourist areas, and avoid unnecessary movement near rivers, streams and other waterways.
