KARACHI: Revenue and Rehabilitation Minister Makhdoom Mehboob Zaman has informed participants in a meeting that above-average rainfall is expected from July to September, which, combined with glacial melt, can bring 500,000 to 900,000 cusecs of water into the Indus River.

He said that in 2022, Padidan experienced ‘1,026’ per cent more rainfall than usual, and Larkana saw 584pc above-average rainfall.

Speaking about rain emergency measures, he mentioned that Karachi, Jamshoro, and Sukkur warehouses were stocked with 300,000 tarpaulins, 1.9 million mosquito nets, and 572 heavy dewatering pumps.

The meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Syed Asif Hyder Shah was held at the Sindh Secretariat to review preparations for expected heavy rains and flooding between July and September.

CS reviews govt preparation to deal with heavy rains during monsoon across Sindh

Chief Secretary Syed Asif Hyder Shah instructed all departments concerned to maintain contact with the Meteorological Department and the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).

He directed deputy commissioners to convene District Disaster Management Authority meetings to prepare medium and high flood contingency plans.

He emphasised the need for ensuring availability of emergency equipment, machinery, dewatering pumps, and emergency staff.

Furthermore, he ordered the creation of an inventory of all resources, including life jackets, boats, and rescue personnel available in each district.

The chief secretary stressed the need for heightened awareness and preparedness due to climate change, which is causing more frequent and severe rains and floods.

The officer warned of the risk of urban flooding in major cities of Sindh and instructed the department of relief to keep all agencies updated about weather conditions and preparedness measures.

He also emphasised the need for informing residents of the Indus River’s catchment areas about the situation. The health department was directed to declare emergency in hospitals and ensure availability of medicines, particularly for malaria and waterborne diseases.

Provincial Minister for Local Government Saeed Ghani highlighted the inclusion of local government representatives in rehabilitation efforts.

He announced that relief camps would be set up at the union-council levels in any emergency situation and emphasised the need to store rations, tents, and other essential supplies in district warehouses to prevent logistical issues.

He assured the meeting participants that funds would soon be provided to Wasa in Hyderabad to ensure the cleaning of storm-water drains.

During the meeting, the secretary of irrigation briefed on the measures taken to protect the Left Bank Outfall Drain and manage water flow from Balochistan.

The meeting was attended by ministers Saeed Ghani,Mehboob Zaman, senior members of the Board of Revenue Baqaullah Unar, Local Government Secretary Syed Khalid Hyder Shah, Information Secretary Nadeemur Rehman Memon, Rehabilitation Secretary Waseem Shamshad, director general of Rescue 1122 Dr Abid Shaikh and representatives from the army, police, power utilities.

Additionally, all divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, and assistant commissioners participated via video link.

Published in Dawn, June 8th, 2024