LAHORE – Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Sunday placed all relevant departments on high alert following the onset of the monsoon season as she directed commissioners, deputy commissioners and field officers across the province to remain fully prepared to deal with any emergency.
Chairing a review of monsoon preparedness, the chief minister ordered all departments to maintain maximum vigilance, stressing that there was “no room for negligence or irresponsibility” in protecting the lives and property of citizens during the rainy season.
She directed authorities to ensure the immediate drainage of rainwater from urban areas and ordered continuous monitoring of the operations of the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA). She also instructed the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Control Room and District Emergency Operation Centres to remain operational round the clock. The chief minister ordered Rescue 1122, WASA and other emergency services to keep their personnel, equipment and machinery on standby to respond promptly to any emergency. She also directed the authorities to ensure the swift clearance of water from low-lying areas and identified waterlogging hotspots.
Emphasising preventive measures, Maryam Nawaz ordered continuous monitoring of stormwater drains and nullahs to prevent urban flooding and instructed officials to ensure that rainwater did not remain stagnant in cities.
She directed the Irrigation Department to keep its teams on high alert and closely monitor water flow in canals throughout the monsoon season. She also ordered authorities to ensure that all manholes in both urban and rural areas remained properly covered and that all necessary public safety measures were put in place. The chief minister further instructed departments concerned to make comprehensive safety arrangements at construction sites to prevent accidents during rainfall and ordered special monitoring of old and structurally unsafe buildings to minimise risks.
To ensure smooth movement of traffic during heavy rains, she directed the Safe City Authority and Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) teams to remain fully alert and make special arrangements for traffic management on major highways and key roads across the province. She also instructed all field teams to remain fully prepared to provide timely public guidance, maintain uninterrupted communication and take every possible step to safeguard the lives and property of citizens.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to public safety, the chief minister directed all relevant departments to remain active, coordinated and fully vigilant throughout the monsoon season to ensure an effective response to any emergency situation.
