ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has directed provincial governments to prepare comprehensive plans for rehabilitation of people affected by rains and floods.

“The president has expressed concern over recent floods and rains and called upon the authorities concerned to gear up efforts to provide relief to all affected people, including provision of shelter and medical assistance,” president’s spokesman Farhatullah Babar quoted him as saying.

The president said that needs of children and women must be taken into account while making relief arrangements. He expressed grief over the loss of lives and devastation caused by torrential rains and floods in various parts of the country.

“The president advised federal and provincial government departments to undertake every possible effort in a concerted manner to provide relief to rain-hit people and evacuate those stranded in accumulated waters in different parts of the country,” the spokesman said.

Mr Zardari called for taking immediate measures to shift the affected families to safe places and provide them with tents, ration, potable water and other basic necessities.

He asked the authorities concerned to ensure that outbreak of waterborne diseases was kept in check and medical camps were set up to provide free medical help to the flood-hit people.