LAHORE: The Punjab government has approved Rs53 million worth of funds for the construction of protective embankments along the Indus River, relief efforts for the 2023 flood victims in Kasur and measures to address winter and snowfall in Murree.

A decision to the effect was made during a meeting held at the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) office on Thursday.

The meeting was presided over by Punjab Minister for Health and Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Disaster Management Khwaja Salman Rafique, Minister for Primary and Secondary HealthcareDepartment Khwaja Imran Nazir, andMinisterforSchoolEducation Rana Sikandar Hayat.

PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia presented a four-point agenda and provided a detailed briefing on the proposed measures.

A grant of Rs25m was approved for the strengthening and construction of protective embankments on Gashkori and Lala Creek to prevent river erosion in Layyah. Additionally, measures will be taken to prevent river erosion in Basti H aveli Manik, Chak Chot, and Basti Makhdoom. An aid amount of Rs 8m was also approved for the relief of 2023 flood victims in Kasur.

The additional chief secretary issued instructions to take special measures for the protectionof forests, noting that there were 377 incidents of forest fires in 2024.

The meeting also reviewed the Annual Winter Emergency Plan 2024, approving a grant of Rs10m for measures in view of winter and snowfall in Murree.

Mr Kathia provided a detailed briefing about the arrangements for the expected snowfall in Murree.

Mr. Rafique stated that all resources have been provided to the district administration, and 13 facilitation centres have been established in Murree to guide tourists.

The PDMA administration has been directed to provide advance alerts and awareness to citizens about the weather situation.

The Rawalpindi commis-sioner and the Murree DC briefed the meeting about the arrangements, highlighting the establishment of an integrated system for traffic management, monitoring and reporting.

Mr Kathia mentioned that awareness is being provided to tourists through print, electronic, and social media.

The meeting was attended by the additional chief secretary, secretary rescue emergency services, Rawalpindi commissioner, DCs of Murree, Kasur, Layyah and Khushab via video link. Officers from various departments, including irrigation, local government, housing and urban development, livestock, emergency services and special branch were also present.