Shikarpur, A high-level meeting was convened today at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Shikarpur, chaired by Ehsan-ur-Rehman Mazari, the Focal Person for Rain Emergency and Advisor to the Sindh Government on Inter-Provincial Coordination and Cooperative Department.
The meeting was organized to address the upcoming monsoon season and to prepare for potential emergencies in the districts of Kashmore-Kandhkot, Jacobabad, and Shikarpur, as designated by the Chief Minister of Sindh.
The meeting saw the participation of several key officials, including MPA Imtiaz Ahmed Sheikh, MPA Muhammad Arif Khan Mahar, Chairman of District Council Shikarpur Zulfiqar Ali Khan, ADC-1 Zafar Abbas Abbasi, Vice Chairman of Shikarpur Municipal Committee, Chairman of Shikarpur Town Committee, Chief Engineer SCARP, Assistant Director Livestock, Public Health Officer, Assistant Commissioners of all four Talukas, Mukhtiarkars, and other district officials.
During the session, ADC-1 Zafar Abbas Abbasi provided a detailed briefing on the district’s preparedness for the monsoon rains. He informed the attendees that Shikarpur district is equipped with 20 pumping stations in the city, alongside 32 urban and 59 rural pumping stations across the district. However, some stations are facing operational issues. Control rooms have been established at the Deputy Commissioner’s office and at the offices of Assistant Commissioners in all Talukas to monitor and respond to emergencies effectively.
The meeting highlighted the challenges posed by the recent rains in areas such as Lakhi, Khanpur, and Garhi Yasin, which have suffered damage. MPA Muhammad Arif Khan Mahar expressed concerns regarding the drainage issues in Lakhi Ghulam Shah, noting that while some pumping stations are functioning, others are non-operational.
Chairman of Shikarpur District Council, Zulfiqar Ali Khan, emphasized the need for timely vaccination of livestock to prevent disease outbreaks during the rainy season. Vice Chairman of Shikarpur Municipal Committee, Waseemuddin Siddiqui, reported that emergency measures have been taken to address water drainage in Shikarpur. MPA Imtiaz Ahmed Sheikh also ensured that the power supply to pumping stations has been secured to prevent disruptions during the monsoon.
District Health Officer (DHO) Shikarpur, Dr. Waseemuddin Sheikh, stated that 25 ambulances are on standby, along with 1122 vehicles, to respond to any emergencies. He confirmed that the district is fully stocked with all necessary emergency medicines.
In his address, Ehsan-ur-Rehman Mazari alerted the officials to a significant weather forecast predicting heavy rains in Sindh from August 11 to 16, 2024. He stressed the importance of being fully prepared to manage any emergency situations, with a particular focus on the rapid drainage of rainwater. Mazari instructed that any issues or deficiencies be communicated to him in writing, so they can be promptly addressed with the Chief Minister of Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah.
Mazari further directed that ambulances, medicines, and medical staff be kept on high alert, and instructed SCARP engineers to inspect and resolve any issues in the drainage canals urgently. He also ordered the Assistant Director Livestock to ensure that livestock vaccinations are carried out swiftly in rural areas. Additionally, officials of WAPDA was tasked with ensuring uninterrupted power supply to all pumping stations during the rains, to facilitate timely water drainage and to employ all available resources for the safety and well-being of the public.
This meeting marks a critical step in the district’s preparation for the upcoming monsoon season, with all departments working together to mitigate the impact of heavy rains and ensure the safety of the residents.