MUZAFFARGARH, July 3: Army has been called to avert any eventuality owing to expected flood in the Chenab.

This was said by DCO Dr Akhtar Nazir Warraich while addressing a press conference at his office on Tuesday.

Viewing massive rains, rising water level in the Chenab and land erosion along the river bank, the district administration had started measures to cope with any eventuality, he said.

The DCO said he had released Rs10 million to the irrigation department to take pre-cautionary steps and strengthen weaker parts of all spurs and embankments.

The district administration had set up 17 relief camps at various points and warned the people living in as many villages to leave their areas immediately.

Mr Warraich said he had put on alert all the departments and police to monitor evacuation of villagers living in the riverine belt. He said flood-hit people would be settled in schools, colleges and other government buildings.

He said the health department would vaccinate the people and cattle. He appealed to NGOs to take part in welfare works.

The DCO praised NGO — Doaba Foundation — for helping flood victims. The foundation provided edibles and goats to the people with the help of Oxfom, an international donor organisation.

Mr Warraich warned shopkeepers and traders against balckmarketing and hoarding of daily-use items and said strict action would be taken against those who tried to exploit the situation. He said construction of school buildings would be completed soon as the chief minister had released Rs230 million for the purpose.

The DCO said he would inspect the offices of EDOs in the morning because he had received a lot of complaints about their late arrival.

Talking of budget, he said he was ready to cooperate with District Nazim Qayyum Jatoi and “it is up to him when he calls the budget session.”

The last year budget could not be utilised because of litigation. The DCO said he would meet the district nazim on July 7 and discuss the budget.