LAHORE: The Punjab government is taking measures to preempt 7th corona wave and is also establishing a system to forewarn the departments concerned of diseases, floods and other calamities, at three places in the province, says Chief Minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi.

Talking to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik, who called on the chief minister at the latter’s office on Saturday, Mr Elahi said the installation of the early warning system would enable the departments concerned to take timely measures to save people, livestock, fields, properties etc from damage and destruction.

The CM said work to rehabilitate the flood-affected people was ongoing expeditiously and the Punjab government disbursed aid among them from its own resources and the donations collected through telethon by former premier Imran Khan.

CM said more than Rs5 billion are being distributed among the flood-hit people and payments to 36,000 affected families had been made, adding that financial assistance had also been provided to such families to build their houses.

He said construction work of more than 55,000 houses was complete and partially destroyed houses were being repaired.

NDMA chairman on the occasion lauded the flood relief and rescue plan of Punjab government and the Rescue 1122 service during the calamity.

He said that to make a forecast 30 to 40 days prior to any natural calamities was possible with the help of the latest technology.

He warned that such calamities could become a permanent feature because of the climate change and “we will have to prepare ourselves to effectively cope up with its hazardous effects”.

Head of Punjab Ehsaas Programme Dr Sania Nishtar participated via video link and gave a detailed briefing about the rehabilitation and aid programme for the flood affectees.

Emergency Services Director General Dr Rizwan Naseer, PDMA head and other officials concerned were also present.

Meanwhile, the CM expressed his deep sense of sorrow and grief over the death of Member of National Assembly Sardar Muhammad Jaffar Khan Leghari.

He lauded the social and political services of the late MNA and prayed for the departed soul.

Published in Dawn, january 1st, 2023