MANSEHRA, July 16: The district administration has declared Balakot, Siren and Konsh valleys as vulnerable to floods during the monsoon season.

“In view of the past history, Balakot, Konsh and Siren valleys have been declared as in danger of floods and all the line departments have been put on alert to deal with any possible threat during the monsoon season,” said Dr Amber Ali Khan, the District Coordination Officer, Mansehra, while speaking at a meeting of line departments, district disaster management authority and TMAs on Monday. A control room equipped with trained officials and volunteers and machinery was also set up.

“The trained rescuers would move on war footing after receiving information of any mishap in any part of the district. And if any one was found negligent in this regard he would be punished,” warned Mr Khan. A landline number 1122 of control room has also been released to media men to propagate it in the public interest.

The tehsil municipal administrators of Mansehra, Oghi and Balakot tehsils told the meeting that they would set up their separate control rooms to move promptly in case of any emergency.

It was also decided that people living on the banks of Kunhar, Siren and Indus Rivers should be issued warning to remain vigilant and shift to safe places in case of flooding.

MODERN SCHOOL: The provincial ministers of Pakistan Peoples’ Party on Monday inaugurated work on construction of a modern school in Mansehra.

Speaking at a ceremony held at Shahalia, the provincial Minister of Revenue Shujah Salim Khan said the school project would be completed at a cost of Rs1 billion. Provincial Minister for Irrigation Syed Ahmad Hussain Shah and Excise Minister Liaqat Shabab also spoke.

The ministers said this modern school would be of the standard of Burn Hall and Lawrence College Gora Gali. “I am obliged to thank chief minister Mr Hoti for extending his support in starting such modern and big educational project in Mansehra giving an opportunity to poor segments of society to get education,” said Mr Khan. The ministers said prime minister had ordered the SNGPL to lay a 16-inch diameter gas pipeline from Abbottabad to Mansehra to help address the issue of low pressure and loadshedding during winter.

“I announce dialysis and CT scan machines for the King Abdullah Teaching Hospital as currently the kidney patients have to travel to other areas to have the treatment,” said Mr Shabab.

The ministers said work on a micro hydropower dam would be started at Ichar Nullah which besides meeting electricity requirement would also irrigate large areas in the district.

They said an information technology park was being set up in Abbottabad where about 25,000 people would get employment.