THATTA: All precautionary measures have been taken to meet any eventuality that may be caused by Cyclone Tauktae if it hit the Thatta-Sujawal-Badin coastal area.

This was stated by Thatta Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Usman Tanveer here on Saturday while referring to a notification issued to the deputy commissioners concerned by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority.

Official sources said that DC Tanveer through a letter (No. DC/Rev/2476) has cancelled the leaves of all officials of various departments, including health, local government, police and revenue. The officials have been assigned to ensure proper communication with those fishermen who had sailed in deep sea so that they could be called back on an emergency basis. The officials have been asked to ensure that all fishing boats were anchored much before the deadline given to them.

An alert had already been sounded in the Ghorabari, Keti Bandar, Kharo Chhaan and other such areas, he said, adding that the administrations had been directed to remain alert over the next few days until the threat was over. He said the officials concerned were told to shift earthmovers and other relevant equipment to the vulnerable areas besides food, water, medicines and emergency medical equipment in order to cope with any emergency situation.

When contacted, the DC said most of the fishing boats that had sailed into water had since returned to the shores in Thatta and Sujawal. They are anchored at Keti Bandar and Kharo Chhaan, according to him.

He said a considerable number of fishermen families, sensing danger, had either left the vulnerable areas by themselves or had been moved to safety by the local administration.

They have been told that all facilities must be easily accessible to the people in distress, he said.

The DC said that a round-the-clock monitoring of situation would be ensured over the next few days.

It is learnt that Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has assigned the task of supervising emergency operations in Thatta and Sujawal to provincial ministers Shabbir Bijarani and Abdul Bari Pitafi, respectively.

Published in Dawn, May 16th, 2021