KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah on Thursday met the fishing community before inspecting precautionary measures taken by the authorities and relief camps during his visit to different coastal areas of the city.

Wearing a weight belt, the chief minister also went into the sea to review sea condition as the officials informed him that cyclone Nilofar had rapidly weakened and might dissipate before hitting the coast.

However, he personally reviewed the precautionary measures taken by the government to prevent the loss of life and property and to meet any eventuality in view of the cyclone.

He also visited the fishing community at Ibrahim Hyderi where he listened to complaints of the fishermen. The residents expressed satisfaction over the precautionary measures taken by the government, while the chief minister assured them of all possible support.

Mr Shah asked them about the sea condition. He also took exception to the unhygienic condition obtaining there and directed the deputy commissioner concerned to ensure cleanliness in the area.

Talking to the media at Clifton beach, the chief minister said that he convened two to three meetings of administrative officers and experts soon after the cyclone alerts were issued by the meteorological department.

He added that the government put all its resources in the field and took effective precautionary measures in the coastal areas besides declaring emergency in the districts under threat. The government also provided Rs10 million immediately to each district under threat.

Holiday was announced for schools on Friday, he said.

The provincial and district disaster management authorities as well as local administration were activated to take urgent measures.

The local administration was also asked to make arrangements for removing silt from the choked drains.

Besides, directives have been issued to coordinate with army and navy for their help in case of any emergency, according to the chief minister.

Responding to a question, Mr Shah said that difficulty was faced in removal of silt from sewers due to heavy encroachment on storm drains.

But the administration concerned had been directed to do the needful and prepare a road map for removing encroachments.

In reply to another question, the chief minister said the local government department was being provided with funds on a regular basis.

Sindh minister for local government and information Sharjeel Inam Memon, coordinator to chief minister Mohammad Siddique Abu Bhai, special assistant to the chief minister Rashid Rabbani, Karachi commissioner Shoaib Siddiqui, PDMA director general Syed Salman Shah, KMC administrator Rauf Akhtar Farooqi and other officers accompanied the chief minister during his visit.

Published in Dawn, October 30th, 2014