Islamabad (July 05, 2018): Caretaker Minister for Water Resources, Syed Ali Zafar has said that all associated government departments must be watchful and increase coordination to disseminate real time information during upcoming raining season.
He was addressing the 53rd Annual Meeting of Federal Flood Commission to review arrangements made by the Provinces and Federal Line Agencies for safe passage of Monsoon Season 2018.
The Minister highlighted the Seasonal Outlook, issued by PMD for Monsoon Season 2018 and said normal to slightly above normal rainfall were expected during the 1st half of Monsoon Season and below Normal Rainfall in 2nd half of Monsoon Season 2018.
The preparedness of NDMA and others bodies was also discussed in detail during the meeting. The Minister directed to remain vigilant throughout the monsoon season and further improve upon the already made arrangements.
The Dam Management Authorities of Tarbela and Mangla Dam Projects shared the Standard Operating Procedures of Mangla and Tarbela Dams and arrangements made for flood flows a regulation in case of high flood flows during monsoon season 2018.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) presented the seasonal forecast for 2018 Monsoon Season. The Minister instructed PMD to improve their weather forecast to give ample time to deal with any emergency situation.
He asked the relevant authorities to remove the encroachments, which restricting free flood flows of rivers and may result in floods.
The Minister was told that around 400 rupees million have been released by the Federal Government during the previous years to Government of Punjab for execution of urgent nature flood projects were kept unspent and had not completed any project regarding flood control despite of availability of funds.
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