As India continues to release waters in Sutlej and Ravi rivers upstream together with rains in the catchment areas, the Punjab government has sought evacuation plans for areas that could lie in the path of riverine floods.
This was decided late on Sunday in an emergency meeting of the provincial caretaker cabinet, which was chaired by Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
During the meeting, officials gave a briefing on the latest flood situation, preparations and precautionary arrangements made over the potential for flooding rivers Ravi and Sutlej in the wake of India opening its spillways.
Irrigation Secretary, who receives data from India on water levels on the Indian side, said that the water level had been steadily increasing in Indian dams on the Ravi and Sutlej rivers.
The dam being built at Ravi is currently at 90% capacity, while the dam being built on the Sutlej is filled with 70% water.
With further rains forecast in the catchment areas of the Ravi and Sutlej and India ready to increase the flow of water, there is a danger of flooding in both rivers.
At this, Naqvi ordered the Irrigation Department, Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Rescue 1122 and the local administration to remain alert.
He asked them to prepare evacuation plans for the population that stood to be affected by the flood, especially those who had moved to the dr river beds of the Ravi and Sutlej.
All divisional commissioners were directed to take precautionary measures on an emergency basis. He added that all preemptive measures should be given a final shape for the safety of the people present inside the bed of both rivers.
Mohsin Naqvi directed that Commissioner Lahore and other divisional Commissioners should ensure the implementation of the formulated plan in case of an emergency.
Mohsin Naqvi directed that the administration should constitute mobile teams to provide food and medicine to those affected and evacuated.
The caretaker chief minister directed that the water situation in the rivers should be monitored at all times, and the concerned departments must be kept informed about the arrival of water from India.
Provincial Ministers, Chief Secretary, Inspector General of Police, Additional IG Special Branch, Chairman P&D and concerned officials attended the Provincial Cabinet emergency meeting. Provincial Minister Doctor Jamal Nasir, Adviser Kanwar Dilshad, Additional Chief Secretary (South Punjab), all Divisional Commissioners and other officials participated in the meeting via video link.
This was decided late on Sunday in an emergency meeting of the provincial caretaker cabinet, which was chaired by Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
During the meeting, officials gave a briefing on the latest flood situation, preparations and precautionary arrangements made over the potential for flooding rivers Ravi and Sutlej in the wake of India opening its spillways.
Irrigation Secretary, who receives data from India on water levels on the Indian side, said that the water level had been steadily increasing in Indian dams on the Ravi and Sutlej rivers.
The dam being built at Ravi is currently at 90% capacity, while the dam being built on the Sutlej is filled with 70% water.
With further rains forecast in the catchment areas of the Ravi and Sutlej and India ready to increase the flow of water, there is a danger of flooding in both rivers.
At this, Naqvi ordered the Irrigation Department, Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Rescue 1122 and the local administration to remain alert.
He asked them to prepare evacuation plans for the population that stood to be affected by the flood, especially those who had moved to the dr river beds of the Ravi and Sutlej.
All divisional commissioners were directed to take precautionary measures on an emergency basis. He added that all preemptive measures should be given a final shape for the safety of the people present inside the bed of both rivers.
Mohsin Naqvi directed that Commissioner Lahore and other divisional Commissioners should ensure the implementation of the formulated plan in case of an emergency.
Mohsin Naqvi directed that the administration should constitute mobile teams to provide food and medicine to those affected and evacuated.
The caretaker chief minister directed that the water situation in the rivers should be monitored at all times, and the concerned departments must be kept informed about the arrival of water from India.
Provincial Ministers, Chief Secretary, Inspector General of Police, Additional IG Special Branch, Chairman P&D and concerned officials attended the Provincial Cabinet emergency meeting. Provincial Minister Doctor Jamal Nasir, Adviser Kanwar Dilshad, Additional Chief Secretary (South Punjab), all Divisional Commissioners and other officials participated in the meeting via video link.