KARACHI, July 20: The provincial chief secretary, Dr Mutwakkal Kazi, has taken cognizance of the damages caused by rains to Rashid Minhas Road, Drig Road flyover on Sharea Faisal and other major roads of the metropolis.

According to a statement issued by the provincial government here on Sunday, Dr Kazi sought a complete report detailing the construction of these roads from the local government department within the next two days.

Expressing deep concern and sorrow over the rain related deaths in the province, the chief secretary asked the departments of health, local government and district coordination officers to gear up their efforts and carry out relief operations in an integrated way, which included relief work for the bereaved families, medical treatment of those wounded and their rehabilitation. He also issued such directives to provide relief to the inhabitants of Mubarak Village.

Talking to newsmen, he informed them that after taking stock of power complaints and consumers’ grievances all over the province, the matter had been discussed with the WAPDA, KESC and HESCO authorities. He expressed hope that fruitful results of his meetings with the three authorities would emerge very soon.

He said that administrative and concerned departments had been categorically told to continue their services at all costs, despite their problems and limitations, and ensure continuous water supply, strengthening and repair of dams, bridges, roads and removal of electric faults, power breakdowns.

Moreover, he said that special measures were being taken on war footings to strengthen the embankments various dams, canals in interior of Sindh and that of small dams in Mubarak Village and Malir River in Karachi.

Answering to a query, he informed that a layout plan of water lines had been demanded from the water and sanitation department in order to locate underground seepage so that specific durable steps could be adopted for their replacement or repair.

The chief secretary cited encroachments, unauthorised settlements, illiteracy and urbanization as a few reasons for the grave problems, which had come to surface during the rains in Karachi. He expressed his desire that scholars, social workers, writers, non-governmental organizations and the elite should guide the masses in this respect.—APP/PPI