MIRPURKHAS: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has declared 24 union councils of Mirpurkhas district and six union councils of Tharparkar district as calamity-hit areas and ordered suspension of tax recovery in these areas.

He made the announcement on Saturday night while talking to reporters after distribution of relief goods among rain-affected people in relief camps of Kaloi and Naukot.

He said heavy rains had caused substantial damage in Mirpurkhas and Tharparkar districts.

The chief minister directed revenue officers to carry out a survey of losses and submit a report about the relief and rehabilitation work needed.

Qaim Ali Shah said Badin, Tando Mohammad Khan and other districts had also been badly hit by the rain, adding that relief camps had been set up in the affected areas.

He said the government was providing ration, health and other facilities to the affected people in these camps.Mr Shah appealed to the affected people to stay peaceful, pledging that the government would not leave them alone.