LAHORE, June 7: Flood protection arrangements in the province were reviewed at a high-level meeting here on Tuesday. Provincial Relief Commissioner Safdar Javed Syed chaired the meeting in which the City District Government Lahore was directed to constitute a task force, comprising representatives of Wapda, Wasa, irrigation, communication and works, civil defence and health departments for monitoring rescue and relief operations during monsoons.

It was also decided to provide wireless sets to the employees posted on rivers, canals and headworks for establishing an effective pre-flood warning system in the province.

Representatives of different departments briefed the participants on the arrangements made for protection of lives and properties of the people in the event of flood.

They said inspection and necessary repairs of the protective embankments had been completed.

Flood Warning Centre on the Jail Road had been made functional and life jackets and life boats provided in flood-prone areas.

The relief commissioner directed the health department to make vaccination arrangements for preventing epidemics in the flood-prone areas. Special attention should be paid to making snake-bite vaccine available in such areas.

Health officials informed him that medicines and vaccines required for use in flood-affected areas had already been procured.

The livestock and dairy development department officials were directed to make arrangements for vaccination and shifting of the livestock from the flood-prone areas to safe areas.

The food department officials informed the relief commissioner that arrangements had been completed for ensuring uninterrupted supply of wheat in the flood-prone areas and shifting of wheat stocks to safe places.

The railways and communication and works department were directed to take steps for fortification of the railway lines and highways for protection against damage during the floods.

Wasa officials were directed to ensure desilting of drains, stormwater channels and sewerage lines before the onset of rainy season.