LAHORE, Pakistan: The Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Thursday that the provincial government has released Rs100 million to each district affected by the recent rains and floods, for meeting the basic financial needs to cope with the flood-risen situation.
Talking to the affectees of the flood-affected areas of the Lalian tehsil of the Chiniot district, Shahbaz Sharif said that it is the first priority of the government to evacuate the stranded people from the flood water.
The Punjab chief minister said that so far, the people from nearly 90 percent areas in the province have been evacuated before the flood or from the flood water. He said that for this purpose, three helicopters are being used for carrying the food or medicines for the flood affectees.
Rs20,000 compensation for each flood affected family
Meanwhile, the members of Punjab cabinet committee for flood relief said at a news conference in Lahore that the provincial government will provide Rs20,000 compensation to each flood affected family before Eidul Azha.
The chairman of the committee Shuja Khanzada said that the provincial government will not rest till the complete rehabilitation of affectees to their areas. He said that 16 helicopters are being used for evacuation of stranded people.
The Punjab food minister Bilal Yasin said that 20,000 blankets and 100,000 bottled waters have been distributed amongst the flood victims. He said that mosquito kits will also be given to the affectees to protect them from dengue fever.
Yasin said that 184 people have been killed mostly in rain related incidents. He said that the provincial government has released Rs2 billion for the relief and rehabilitation of the flood affectees.
Another committee member Zaeem Qadri said that 1.8 million have been affected by the floods and rains in Punjab province. He said that 140,000 people have been moved to safer places and 500 relief camps have been established for the affectees.
