August 13, 2006	Sunday	Rajab 17, 1427

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LAHORE, Aug 12: The recent rains and floods have affected 767 villages, damaging crops spreading over 106,700 acres and partially damaging 3,732 houses, besides wiping out 390 in 10 districts of the Punjab.

The provincial government has established 74 relief camps where, on the directions of the chief minister, free food and medical facilities are being provided to the affected people.

This was stated by Relief and Crises Management Department secretary Brig Syed Ghazanfar Ali while briefing revenue and relief minister Gul Hameed Khan Rokhari on the latest flood situation and relief activities here on Saturday.

Director-General Relief Chaudhry Muhammad Azam, Director Operation Mian Muhammad Akram and other officers attended the meeting.

It was informed that so far Jhang was the most-affected district where 309 villages had seen devastation. There were 123 such villages in Jhelum, 107 in DG Khan, 89 in Layyah, 72 in Muzaffargarh, 60 in Mianwali, 14 in Bhakkar, seven in Mandi Bahauddin, three in Narowal and one in Khushab. A detailed survey of the whole province was being conducted.

As many as 74 relief camps had been established in different districts where food and medicines were being provided to the affected people. Relief goods had also been arranged from the Prime Minister’s Secretariat for the relief camps in Dina tehsil (Jhelum), Taunsa (Dera Ghazi Khan) and Layyah. Similarly, 188 tents, 2,000 blankets and 10.5 tons of rice had been sent to Dina and 100 tents, 1,000 blankets and 200 bags containing 32 kg food items each had been sent to Taunsa and Layyah.

Mobile teams of the livestock department are also vaccinating the animals.

The minister said as soon as water started receding a detailed survey should be conducted in all the districts to assess the total loss of crops, property and cattle so that financial assistance could be provided.

He further directed that due attention be paid to the provision of all possible relief to the affected people. He ensured that the government would provide all-out assistance for the rehabilitation of the affected people.