ISLAMABAD, May 24: The federal government on Tuesday allocated Rs1.6 billion for a flood safety programme. An inter-provincial meeting, presided over by federal Minister for Water and Power Liaqat Ali Jatoi, called for reviewing measures for flood protection for the next season.

Mr Jatoi asked the representatives of the four provinces to prepare long-term flood protection programmes and then share them with the federal government.

The meeting decided to set up a communication cell in the Federal Flood Commission for obtaining information from the Flood Forecasting Division of the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), Lahore.

The meeting also asked Wapda, the PMD and Pakistan Commissioner for Indus Waters (PCIW) to ensure dissemination of accurate forecasting and timely warning.

The meeting decided to ask the PTCL to ensure flawless functioning of communication links during the flood season.

The PMD was directed to set up a radar network all over the country for accurate weather forecasts. The minister also asked the provinces to make sure their flood management programmes were foolproof.

The meeting was also informed the government had released Rs500 million for the annual flood protection programme.