PESHAWAR: Caretaker Chief Minister retired Justice Dost Mohammad Khan has directed the relevant departments to conduct survey and mapping of all areas vulnerable to natural calamities.

He presided over a meeting on the contingency plan to mitigate the expected damage of torrential rains and human and property losses during monsoon in the province, said an official statement issued here on Thursday.

He ordered to scientifically plan prevention of floods and slowing melting down of glaciers by replicating the internationally accepted formula for flood control. He called for a national policy for crisis response and mitigation besides creating awareness among the people of the bad impacts of deforestation.

The chief minister asked the relevant authorities to facilitate and encourage people in the forest growing areas to protect their forests. He asked the quarters concerned to plan a research centre to get scientific feedback and even to form an elite force for meeting any eventuality.

He directed against encroachments on the water channels that caused devastation in the monsoon season. He also called for steps to check the flow of drain water into canals and rivers.

Published in Dawn, June 22nd, 2018