Chairman Ministerial Disaster Management Committee, Provincial Minister for Cooperatives, Environmental Protection and Parliamentary Affairs Muhammad Basharat Raja has assured that every flood-affected family will resettle in their homes soon. The reconstruction work of the houses will start as soon as the water recedes. Punjab government will leave no stone unturned to provide sufficient financial resources for affected people.
He was addressing a press conference at DGPR here today. He told the media persons that Punjab received a total of 364 mm of rain this year, which was 85 percent more than normal. “Although pre-monsoon flood warnings and all necessary preparations were made by the concerned departments, however preparations did not prove to be effective against the unprecedented heavy rains”, regretted the minister. Muhammad Bisharat Raja said that 188 deaths occurred as a result of rains and floods in the entire province. “Apart from this, 3 thousand 256 people were injured while 25 thousand 315 houses were damaged” he said. Mr Raja told that districts of Rajanpur, DG Khan and Mianwali were the worst affected.
He said that 6 lakh 44 thousand 339 people were affected by rains and floods while more than two lakh cattle were also perished.
The provincial minister said that Chief Minister Punjab Ch. Pervaiz Elahi himself is supervising all the relief activities. “Flood-affected areas have already been declared a calamity hit. At present, the relief work is in the final stages, then the most crucial phase of rehabilitation will begin”, he further told the media. Muhammad Basharat Raja said that a relief package has been approved by the Chief Minister for the affected people.
“Compensation of one million rupees will be given to the next of kin of each deceased person.
Earlier, aid was not given for the construction of kacha houses, but this time the government will also provide aid for the reconstruction of kacha houses” he announced.
Chairman high powered ministerial committee told that 184 relief camps were established in the affected areas. A total of 33,478 tents, 4,400 bags of flour, 68,637 food hampers, more than 3,000 pots and thousands of water bottles have been distributed in 3 tehsils of Rajanpur, 4 tehsils of DG Khan and one tehsil of Mianwali. He said that Rs. 100 million to Deputy Commissioner DG Khan, 80 million to DC Rajanpur and 65 million to Deputy Commissioner Mianwali immediately released. “Any additional funds required will be provided” he vowed.
He said that as usual overseas Pakistanis are leading in helping their brothers facing difficult times.
“During the telethon held a few days ago, on the call of Chairman Imran Khan, crores of donations were collected in a few minutes”, he said. Raja Basharat said that along with the government, welfare organizations are also actively involved in helping their affected brothers and sisters.
“This is a national tragedy. The victims will not be left alone.
We salute their courage and passion. Inshallah, we will come out of this difficult time in a better way”, he pledged.
