ISLAMABAD, Aug 6: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Sunday that the armed forces had been alerted to undertake relief and rescue operations in flood-hit areas of the NWFP.

The prime minister was talking to newsmen here on Sunday after dispatching relief goods for the flood-affected people of Mardan.

He said the federal government was moving in close coordination with provincial and district governments. Whatever assistance was needed would be provided immediately, he assured.

He said 27 truckloads of tents, blankets, food items and medicines had already been sent to the affected areas of the NWFP while five trucks were to be sent later. He said four truckloads of relief goods had been sent to the affected areas of Jhelum.

Mr Aziz said he had directed federal Minister for Political Affairs Amir Muqam to supervise the relief operation in Mardan.

He said an assessment of losses was being carried out so that proper assistance could be provided to the victims. He said the whole nation was with the flood victims.

The government was closely monitoring the situation and had adopted all precautionary measures, he said.

The water level in rivers Indus, Swat and Kabul was rising which might affect the low lying areas in Punjab and Sindh, he said. If needed, people living in the low-laying areas would be relocated to safer places temporarily, he added.

To a question, the prime minister said he had directed the flood commissioner to remain in touch with the Indian authorities to ascertain the flow of waters in the rivers.