KARACHI, July 28: The city government caretaker, Fazalur Rehman, has imposed emergency in the jurisdiction of the city government to meet any eventuality in view of expected rains.
The emergency would be applicable to all departments, subordinate departments, towns and union councils of Karachi.
Arrangements made in connection with expected rains were reviewed in a meeting held on Thursday under the chairmanship of the caretaker. DOs Civil Defence and Fire Brigade briefed the meeting.
The leaves of all employees have been cancelled in view of the emergency while all those employees who are already on leave have been directed to immediately report back to work.
Caretakers of towns have also been directed to visit their areas along with concerned officers and report after reviewing the situation.
Mr Fazal has also asked other civic organisations to enforce emergency and order their staff to remain on duty round the clock.
The meeting was informed that grades 17 and 18 officers had been deputed to further activate the emergency centres already set up by the city government and towns.
He said that there was a close liaison between the city government departments, NGOs and other organisations associated with relief works.
He said buildings for relief centres had been identified while arrangements had also been made for deployment of doctors and other staff.
People have been told to contact the ‘134’ helpline or the concerned town control room for any problem and immediate action.
It was informed that more telephone lines had been added to the ‘134’ helpline to accommodate as many calls as possible.
Meanwhile, the city government caretaker directed that the essential staff would not leave their duty until replaced by others.
He issued directives for round-the-clock functioning of the fire brigade, civil defence, park, health, works and services, and other departments providing essential services besides presence of their officers and employees.
The DIG Traffic was also asked to direct his staff to remain alert to enforce the emergency traffic plan prepared for the rains so as to keep the traffic flow normal.
CS ORDERS: The Chief Secretary, Fazalur Rehman, has directed all district coordination officers in Sindh to adopt preventive and safety measures in view of expected heavy rains and to ensure the implementation of the ‘emergency rescue and relief plan’.
He issued the directives in the wake of a weather advisory issued by the Met office for heavy rains in most parts of Sindh especially in the coastal areas of Karachi, Thatta and Badin.
Officials of the local government, health and home departments particularly the Board of Revenue have been asked to maintain close liaison with each other and work under a joint line of action to meet any emergency besides ensuring all-out cooperation with district governments and DCOs.
The power and water utilities were also directed to ensure supply during rains.
The chief secretary asked the KWSB and traffic police officials to ensure effective measures for draining out rain water and preventing traffic jams.
He also asked people to avoid visiting beaches for picnics during the monsoon falls.—APP
