June 26, 2007	Tuesday	Jamadi-us-Sani 10, 1428

THATTA, June 25: Hundreds of people in the coastal areas of Keti Bunder town have migrated to safer places due to fear of impending windstorm and heavy rains while police have been put on high alert to face any eventuality.

Reports reaching here on Monday said that large populations from Keti Bunder, Kharochhan, Jati, Shah Bunder and Ghorabari had shifted to safer areas on self-help basis in the wake of Saturday’s strong winds and heavy rains. The administration has so far not taken any measures to help them move to safer places.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum said that out of 175 boats that had gone into deep sea for fishing, 100 had returned and the rest were still at sea.

Our Badin correspondent adds: People in coastal areas of the district started moving out to safer places and relief camps on Monday in the wake of Saturday’s heavy rain and windstorm and at least 1,100 people had so far shifted to the camps, disclosed Badin DCO Safdar Ali Agha.

He said that the district had initially set up 11 relief camps in Badin, Golarchi and Tando Bago talukas and arranged at least 10 motorboats and several motor-less boats to meet any eventuality.

He said that vehicles from an oil company and NGOs had been arranged while an ambulance carrying medicines, food and relief goods was being despatched by Red Crescent.

He said that leaves of officials had been cancelled and medical, veterinary officials had been asked to remain alert round the clock. Sindh Relief Department had also released Rs500,000, he added.

Meanwhile, wing commander-31 wing of Thar Rangers, Major Syed Imtiaz Hussain Shah, asked Rangers personnel to immediately vacate the posts prior to thunder storm and heavy rains.

He also announced establishment of four medical camps and four relief camps on emergency basis.

District Nazim Anwar Ali Halepoto advised all the nazims of talukas and union councils to be prepared to help rain victims during the emergency.