LAHORE: Provincial Minister for Irrigation, Local Government and PDMA Zafar Mehmood said on Saturday that funds of Rs210 million will be released soon to deputy commissioners for flood relief operation to counter any possible threat of flood.

He directed all the district administrations to remain fully vigilant and alert in the wake of any possible urban flooding during the monsoon season. Speaking on the occasion, he directed all the relevant authorities to ensure that drains/nullahs/canals were clear in order to avoid any possible threat of flood.

Chairing the 4th Cabinet Committee Meeting on pre-monsoon/flood arrangements 2018 at Civil Secretariat here on Saturday, Zafar Mehmood reviewed pre-flood arrangements by different provincial departments to combat any possible threat of flood.

While briefing the meeting, Director General Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Mudassar Waheed Malik said the PDMA Punjab was in close contact with all the relevant departments and deputy commissioners to complete pre-monsoon/flood arrangements and in this regard, many initiatives have been taken as a preparedness activity to cater any untoward situation.

Chief Meteorologist Muhammad Riaz briefed the meeting about weather situation and said that scattered wind thunderstorm/rain with isolated heavy falls is expected over Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Sargodha and Sahiwal divisions along with upper catchments of river Jehlum, Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej from 2nd July 2018.

Secretaries of different provincial departments and high officials of concerned departments attended the meeting while deputy commissioners and high officials of concerned departments participated in the meeting from their respective districts through a video link.