Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday ordered round-the-clock monitoring of rescue, relief and rehabilitation measures in the flood-hit areas of Balochistan.
The premier also instructed that a report detailing the disbursement of funds to flood victims should be submitted every 48 hours, a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office said.
Monsoon rains have unleashed massive destruction in Balochistan, killing hundreds of people and rendering thousands homeless.
In a meeting with officials in Islamabad on Wednesday, the prime minister directed authorities to expedite the distribution of relief funds in the province, especially in Bolan, Quetta, Zhob, Dakki, Khuzdar, Kohlu, Kech, Mastung, Harnai, Qila Saifullah, and Sibbi.
He also directed to pace up relief and rehabilitation work in the flood-affected areas of Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Punjab.
“PM Shehbaz said that those affected by the floods were looking towards the government to alleviate their suffering. He stressed that negligence in supplying food, medicines, and accommodation would not be tolerated,” the PMO statement said.
Furthermore, the prime minister ordered to ensure proper cleaning, sanitation, and fumigation of flood-hit areas to avert the spread of diseases such as dengue.
“He also emphasised on providing clean drinking water to flood victims to curb gastric diseases,” the PMO said.
Meanwhile, a report by the authorities concerned said that food, medical camps, and shelter had been arranged in the food-hit areas of Balochistan.
It added that relief activities had been increased in collaboration with the provincial government. Work was in progress in other provinces with the cooperation of the respective provincial governments, it said.
Earlier this week, PM Shehbaz had visited Balochistan and met residents of the areas where floods had wreaked havoc. During his one-day visit, he distributed cheques of Rs1 million each to the families of the flood victims.
The premier had also announced that the provincial and national disaster management authorities would conduct a joint survey using satellite images to assess the damage to crops, bridges, and roads across the province.
Floods in Balochistan
In the last 24 hours, the death toll in Balochistan from floods rose to 15. The deaths were reported in Zhob, Qilla Saifullah, Kohlu, Naushki and Lasbela where relentless rains caused flash floods.
Heavy rains in catchment areas of streams were resulting in floods in different areas in Awaran while, the district still remained cut-off from other areas due to damage to roads and bridges.
In Dera Bugti and Kohlu, continuous downpour on hills was flooding seasonal water channels, threatening people in downstream areas of Nasirabad.
On Tuesday, the National Disaster Management Authority dispatched 1,000 ration bags for people affected by floods in the province.
In a statement, the NDMA spokesperson said that relief goods were provided by King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre which were handed over to deputy commissioners of Jaffarabad, Naseerabad, Sohbatpur, Sibi and Kutch. The bangs contain flour, pulses, sugar and ghee.
The first shipment of 3,000 bags was sent to Balochistan on July 15.