LAHORE: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has directed that all protective measures should be taken ahead of monsoon and possible floods.

He was addressing a meeting here at the Civil Secretariat through video link on Monday. He said all provincial and federal institutions concerned should perform their duties with mutual coordination.

He also said arrangements should be better than last year, adding that lack of coordination between departments concerned would not be tolerated.

Shahbaz said the cabinet committee for floods should maintain close contact with the metrological department and information should be acquired about the weather daily. Giving orders for immediate removal of encroachments in river beds, he said the cabinet committee should immediately conduct an operation with the cooperation of the district administration concerned.

The chief minister saidmembers of the cabinet committee for flood should visit the site to inspect repair work of embankments of rivers.

He also said he would personally monitor protective arrangements for monsoon and possible flood, adding that two warehouses had been set up in Lahore and Muzaffargarh to stock essential items. He directed that training of boat operators should be completed soon.

Shahbaz said immediate measures should be taken for activating the civil defence institution. He also said the cabinet committee should take action against anyone creating illegal breaches, adding that steps taken for saving people of Sialkot and Kamoke from floods and nullahs should be strictly implemented.

He directed authorities concerned to immediately complete the project regarding improvement of rainwater nullahs in Gujranwala division so that losses during monsoon chould be checked.--APP