HYDERABAD, Aug 7: District Nazim Kanwar Naveed Jamil, in anticipation of the forecast of heavy rain on August 10 by the Metrological Department, has directed the Building Control Department to get the 44 most dangerous buildings vacated latest by August 9, along with instructions to WASA management and taluka municipal administrations to ensure disposal of rainwater without disturbing civic life.

The nazim issued these directives in a meeting of the District Disaster Management Authority held at his Secretariat on Thursday.

District nazim directed the officers concerned to issue final notices to owners of the most dangerous buildings and also convince them in vacating these before rain with the assistance of taluka and UC nazims.

This directive was in reference to HBCD report wherein it revealed that in addition to 129 buildings within the premises of Pakka Qilla, 97 buildings in the city had been declared dangerous, out of which 44 fall in the most dangerous category posing threats to inhabitants.

He said if accommodation problem arises the affected could be housed in relief camps already set aside in schools.

Kanwar Naveed Jamil said disposal of rain effluent would be another challenge and told WASA to undertake arrangements by putting machinery in the field.

He called for making operational dewatering pumping machines and generators in addition to TMA machinery.

Complaint centres, he said, should remain open round the clock and the staff on leave called back for providing prompt service to people.

District government has invested huge amount to enhance drainage capacity keeping in mind the experience of 2006, he said.

Regarding the embankment position of Indus River and other off taking canals, he asked the EDO Revenue to remain in touch with irrigation officials and also identify and take precaution if any of the villages comes under the threat of flood. The Sindh Police Force too, would be present for undertaking rescue operation, if any, he said, stressing the strengthening of protective embankments, especially in Qasimabad and Latifabad talukas.

He asked the EDO Revenue and Building Control Department to identify residential colonies in need of protective bunds, besides, identification of vulnerable areas.

He also directed the EDOs education and health to coordinate and ensure provision of all facilities at the proposed relief camps along with the appointment of a sub-committee to look after affected people in each camp.

Similarly, he directed the EDO Health to spare emergency beds in each hospital in addition to prompt medical services at relief camps, both in hospitals and at mobile units.

DCO Ali Ahmed, DPO Dr Najaf Quli Mirza, WASA MD Bashir Awan, EDO Revenue Syed Barkaat Hussain Rizvi, EDO CDD Shafaatullah Unnar, EDO Health Bux Ali Pitafi, all TMOs and other officers of concerned departments attended the meeting.