PM Shehbaz directs steps for water discharge from flood-hit areas to prevent epidemics
KHUZDAR: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed urgent steps for discharge of water from the flood-hit areas to prevent outbreak of water-borne diseases.
The prime minister issued the instructions during his visit to the flood-hit areas of Sohbatpur as he arrived in district Khuzdar on a day-long visit on Monday to review the arrangements of relief and rehabilitation.
Shehbaz Sharif proposed taking onboard water engineers and hydrologists to recommend suggestions in line with the post-flood studies.
He feared that epidemics and communicable diseases could become a big challenge if the water took months to recede. He directed to ensure availability of drinking water to the flood-affected people.
For next crop season, he said, arrangements for distribution of seeds to locals were in progress.
The prime minister mentioned that Rs five billion had been disbursed among the flood victims of Balochistan under the Benazir Income Support Program, as each household was given Rs 25,000 to meet their immediate needs.
He said to facilitate the recovery effort of the flood-struck population, the government had exempted 300 units in electricity bills during August and September.
He also interacted with patients at medical camp set up for flood victims and inquired the staff about the availability of medicine including the anti-malaria vaccine.
Shehbaz Sharif mingled with the students at a makeshift school and assured them that the government would construct a model school for them in two months equipped with modern facilities.
Chief Secretary Balochistan briefed the prime minister about the ongoing relief and rehabilitation activities carried out in the flood-hit areas of the province.
He said heavy machinery was at work in five districts of Balochistan to rebuild infrastructure and clear pathways damaged by floods. It was told that regular sprays were being carried out to contain any possibility of epidemics in the flood-affected areas. Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took an aerial view of the inundated areas of Balochistan and Sindh. – News Agencies
