KARACHI, June 30: Sindh Chief Secretary Dr. Muttawakal Kazi on Monday directed to the officials of irrigation and power department to chalk out an effective strategy to cope with the eventualities which might arise from possible rains and floods in the province.

Reviewing the preparations and preventive measures being taken to tackle the possible rains and foods in the province, the chief secretary asked the concerned authorities to take all possible steps for safety of lives and properties of masses with the coordination of the city/district governments, meteorological and agricultural departments.

Dr. Kazi asked the finance secretary to ensure the release of relevant funds to the irrigation department on which the secretary said funds were being released.

Earlier, secretary of irrigation and power Imtiaz Qazi in a briefing said Sindh is more susceptible as compared to Punjab in case of floods, therefore, the protective walls be strengthened to handle the situation more effectively.

He said there were 131 important vulnerable points on either side of the Indus river in which 74 are located at the right bank and 57 on left bank of the river.

Imtiaz Qazi indicated the S. M. Embankment located at Bhanot in Hyderabad and Qadirpur Loop Embankment at Ghotki were important points in view of safety arrangements for floods.

Mr. Qazi said a flood control room has been set up in the irrigation department and the same control rooms will also be established in all districts of the province and added that four communication centres are located in Sindh out of 23 from all over the country.

The chief secretary assured that all out support and cooperation would be extended to irrigation department to ensure safety of masses. However, he said that for meeting any eventuality everyone would remain alert.

Dr. Muttawakal Kazi asked the DCO Karachi to apprise him of preparations being adopted to handle rains in the city.

DCO Karachi Mir Hussain Ali informed that control rooms have been setup in 18 towns of the city and CDGK office while constant monitoring of 538 slum areas of city, Malir river, Lyari river and villages of Bin Qasim, Malir and Gadap is being carried out.

He said that the law-enforcement agencies, including police and rangers, are in contact and arrangements have been finalized for any possible shifting of affected people and to provide them food and treatment facilities and in this all process NGOs are cooperating with the government.

Mir Hussain Ali asked for a ban on bathing at Clifton, Hawkesbay, Paradise Point and other beaches under Section 144 to avoid drowning incidents.

Representative of 5-Corps Brig Iftikhar, additional chief secretary development Ghulam Sarwar Khero, chief relief commissioner and senior member Board of Revenue Manzoor Bhutto, secretary of communication Ashfaq Memon, information secretary Mehtab Rashdi and all DCOs attended the meeting.—PPI