CM declares Umerkot ‘calamity-hit’

Orders to write off all agricultural loans

Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah declared Umerkot district calamity hit, after rains devastated the entire district, here on Sunday. He was addressing a press conference at Syed House Kharoro Syed after visiting some relief camps in the district.

He said that they had requested NDMA in view of forecasts from metro departments to request international organization to help the government to cope with the disaster. He said that he has received complaints against district government Umerkot that they failed to deliver relief to the affected people, including ration, tents, medical facilities and safe water. He was surprised that why account-4 was not utilized to provide immediate relief to the rain-hit people.

Replying to a question he said that he is aware that scores of livestock is perished to death. But they were not expecting the arrival of such a big number of livestock in the district from other districts. But they will take all out efforts to control the situation. He said that transportation fares and other commodities rates have surged due to disaster but soon they will look into it. He said that previously they had allocated 5 billion rupees to cope with disaster like situation with PDMA, but in this situation amount is less, because at this time 21 districts have been affected by recent rains.

As compared to previous it is super flood. Replying to a question he said that federal government is requested to help Sindh province in this difficult time, he appreciated PM Gilani’s initiatives and said that PM has encouraged them. He said that at this time it is time to provide relief than rehabilitation later it for agriculture purpose loans will be provided to farmers. He said that boats have been called in Umerkot and Army and other NGOs have start rescue operation; they are hopeful that with less causalities they will shift all the stranded people to safer places.

He said that today international organizations like WFP, UNDP, WHO are starting their relief activities in Sindh and it will start from Badin and soon in Umerkot. He said that he has received complaints of out break of gastro and other water borne diseases in the camps, malaria is also on the rise for which he has ordered for provision of safe water in camps and start fumigation and anti-malarial spray to save the precious lives of people. He said that they are passing from hard days but having limited resources they will strive to minimize the problems. On this occasion he distributed 9 cheques each Rs.100000 to the heirs of those who lost their lives in rain related incidents. He announced Rs.500000 grant for press club Umerkot which has also suffered damages due to recent rains.

He also declared Umerkot district calamity hit and ordered to write off all the agricultural loans and provide all the relief under calamity hit provisions. Later he rushed to Nohto rain affected camp where more than 70000 rian-hit people were sitting under open sky and three persons Chaman, Chandan and Bilawal Halepoto died due to water borne diseases last night. Whereas Rajesh-6 hailing from Walidad Palli whose family was staying in Mono-technical camp Umerkot died due to malaria and Premi-2 daughter of Hanso died at Cheel Band rain-affected camp.