Islamabad:
The government is preparing additional controlled violations along the Multan-Sukkur motorway (M-5) to manage flood waters threatening Jalalpur Pirwala and its surroundings, with several agencies working in coordination.
This was disclosed during a special meeting Thursday chaired by the federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan and assisted by the main minister of Punjab, Marriyum Aurangzeb, provincial ministers, federal secretary on communications, president of NHA, Multan commissioner and senior officials of Nespak, the department of irrigation, sui and water services.
The officials indicated that the flood waters had damaged the M-5 at five, flooding the villages of the districts of Multan, Lodhran and Bahawalpur, notably Phagal Marhi, Hayatpur, Jhanmp, Zoladala and Muradpur.
The flood also reached Uch Sharif, overwhelming nearby colonies such as Jhangra and Basti Mir Chakar Rind. Serious damage has forced the closure of the Mulnan-Uch Sharif section of the highway, the diversions in place until the water decreases and the repairs are completed. The NHA teams work 24 hours a day to restore the traffic flow, especially near Jalalpur Pirwala. A technical committee was created to monitor the situation continuously and recommend timely measures.
Addressing the meeting, Minister Aleem Khan said that flood waters have spread up to 20 kilometers from both sides of the highway. “The breakdown of the highway was not an easy decision, but the safeguarding of the life and property of citizens has priority,” he said.
He stressed that the protection of the city of Jalalpur Pirwala remains the greatest priority, the NHA working in close coordination with the Punjab government. “Whatever the decision that the Punjab government has, the NHA and other institutions will support it fully,” he added.
