UMERKOT: Persistent drought-like conditions in Tharparkar are said to have caused deaths of two more newborn babies at the Mithi Civil Hospital on Friday.

With the death of nine-day-old Aveesh, and another newborn baby of Mola Bux, the children’s death toll has reached 29 in July so far.

Minister for Relief and Revenue Makhdoom Jamilulzzaman told journalists here on Friday after presiding over a meeting on the drought situation at Darbar Hall that he was sad and worried at the unabated deaths of children.

He said the chief minister had taken notice of the situation and issued directives to all ministers to reach Mithi and contribute to the government’s efforts to combat the drought.

He said that he would monitor all relief work and said the government would never leave people of Thar alone. The third instalment of relief wheat would be distributed among Tharis very soon as a summary for the release of 126,000 bags had already been sent to the chief minister for approval, he said.

The minister directed the deputy commissioner of Tharparkar to ensure provision of adequate health facilities and clean drinking water to the Thar inhabitants and warned negligence would not be tolerated in this regard.

Dr Mahesh Kumar Malani, president of PPP Tharparkar, and MPA Faqeer Sher Mohammad Bilalani also briefed the minister about the drought situation.

Additional relief commissioner Munawwar Mahesar, DG PDMA Salman Shah, DG health Dr Hafeez, assistant commissioners and all officials of health, education and livestock departments also attended the meeting.

Published in Dawn, July 26th, 2014