Sukkur, August 8, 2024 – To the onset of the monsoon season the authorities of the city of Sukkur are facing major difficulties due to heavy rains. Recently, Sukkur Mayor Barrister Arsalan Islam Shaikh also called on the PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari regarding the flood relief operation situation and the prevailing position of Sukkur.
The Context:
This has however been made worse this year by the heavy downpour in the monsoon season, several parts of the Sukkur have been flooded. The heavy rainfalls have flooded the streets, affected people’s everyday routines, and caused harm to buildings. To this natural calamity, the local administration has been at the forefront of coming up with measures to contain the effects and assist the affected citizens.
Mayor’s Briefing:
The intersectoral cooperation is also supported by Mayor Arsalan Islam Shaikh who provided information about complex measures carried out by the municipal authorities. During his meeting with Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, he highlighted the following key measures:
Immediate Response Teams:
- The formation of crisis mitigation groups to meet the emergent requirements that include; the rescue of the trapped individuals and treatment of the injured ones.
- Use of pumps and other equipment to remove the water from the regions that have been severely flooded.
Shelter and Food Distribution:
- Relief immediately after the disaster because this involves the provision of makeshift shelters for the affected population.
- That entails mobilizing food, water, and other relevant items through cooperation with local non-governmental organizations and volunteer organizations.
Healthcare Services:
- Forcing that medical personnel is always on the quick standby in case of a medical situation.
- Supplying mosquito nets and anti-malaria drugs to the households to help avoid the spread of waterborne diseases.
Infrastructure Repair:
- Starting repair of the roads and bridges that have been affected as a way of reopening the cut-off links.
- Discharging priority to the removal of blocked drainage systems to prevent any future experiences of flooding.
Challenges Faced:
Despite the proactive measures, the mayor acknowledged several challenges hindering the relief efforts:
- Resource Constraints: Lack of machines and finance has put a dent in the types of operations that have been carried out.
- Access Issues: There are some areas where the street is flooded and some infrastructure has been washed away, therefore access to some areas by relief teams is challenging.
- Health Concerns: The accumulation of water creates a problem of a breeding ground for diseases, which must be regularly checked and controlled.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s Response:
Sukkur administration is also being appreciated by Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari who also promised PPP’s full cooperation to the administration. He stressed the necessity to delicately address all the occurring issues at the federal, provincial, and local levels. Bilawal also called for the evaluation of the head and stock of infrastructure for space demanding necessary for the long-term preparatory against such natural disasters.
Looking Ahead:
The meeting ended with the commitment to continuing work in the province and the welfare of the citizens of Sukkur. Plans were discussed for enhancing disaster preparedness and response mechanisms, including:
- Improving Early Warning Systems: To be able to give prior notifications on the developing weather situation to the residents.
- Strengthening Infrastructure: Capital, should be spent on the construction of strong buildings and other structures that are likely to be affected by the annual monsoon seasons in the future.
- Community Engagement: Promoting involvement of the community concerning disaster response and drills relevant to calamities.
Therefore, an optimistic scenario of continued resilience in the face of adversity accompanied by the spirit of unity and support of the combined efforts of the local administration, political leadership, and community members for the development of Sukkur remain unmarred. It would be pertinent to mention that Mayor Arsalan Islam Shaikh’s meeting with Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is a reflection of the efforts to protect the lives of citizens and construct a future-proof Sukkur.
