KARACHI, June 26: In view of the expected heavy rains and floods, all town municipal administrations, group of offices of the city government and important utility agencies have been advised to make required arrangements.

The required steps are identified in the city government’s rain/ cyclone/flood Emergency Plan, 2005 circulated by the Civil Defence and Fire Brigade Department.

The DCO Karachi has referred to some of the important points/steps/measures, required to be introduced/adopted, in this connection as under.

• Warning of intensity of expected rains/floods by the Met office.

• Check peak flood coincides with the high tides in the sea.

• Protection of the Malir and Lyari River embankments.

• Trenches, caved in roads, pot-holes, drains/nullahs, manholes, etc.

• Old dilapidated buildings.

• Utility services including electricity, telephone, Sui gas etc.

• Prevention of deaths due to wire snapping/electrocution etc.

• Availability of dewatering pumps/dewatering of stagnant water.

• Rescue/emergency camps in schools/colleges.

• Round the clock working/ functioning of control room (a) 134 city district government complex (Civic Centre), with availability of officers/officials of works and services, KWSB, KESC, PTCL, SSGC etc. (Phone No 9230060-61-62) in addition to Helpline 134, (b) DCO’s camp office, at Club Road (Phone 9205605), (c) City Fire Brigade Headquarter (Helpline 16, Phone 9215007-8), (d) Office of EDOs (All), CDGK, (e) TMAs (ALL) CDGK,

• All the DDOs (Revenue) shall act as focal person and coordinate the arrangements/measures in their respective towns on behalf of the DCO. The EDO and DDO (Revenue) will monitor/ coordinate the functioning of these focal persons and ensure reporting on regular basis,

• All EDOs are also advised to coordinate and assign duties of respective field staff to ensure the required measures for implementation of these directives,

• A special monitoring and coordination cell to deal with the rain/flood emergency during monsoon 2005 has been established forthwith at the camp office DCO Secretariat, Club Road, and shall remain operative during the monsoon season. Phone numbers of the cell are 9205631-9215644 and fax no 9205652. Phone no of DCO office 9205607-9205610 shall also be available in case of emergency,

• The DO (General Administration) shall act as over all in charge/chief focal person of the special cell and ensure required assistance/support to TMAs, EDOs, DOs, DDOs (Revenue) utility agencies etc. The deputy DO working in the DCO Secretariat are assigned round the clock duties in three shifts at the special cell.—APP