LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has directed the departments concerned to be on full alert to deal with any emergency situation on account of flood and rains and utilise every means for relief activities. He also directed provincial ministers and administrative secretaries to personally visit the affected areas and monitor the relief activities. The CM has also ordered to increase financial assistance for each flood victim from Rs 100,000 to Rs 300,000. The CM was addressing a meeting held at the CMs Secretariat to review the situation of flood and rains in the province. The CM said all measures should be taken to protect life and property of the people from the devastation of flood and rains. He said that health, livestock and other departments should actively take part in the relief work in the flood-hit areas and ensure availability of vaccines and medicines including that against snake biting as well as to check epidemic diseases in that areas. He said that flood victims should be provided water bottles in the areas where clean drinking water is not available. He directed the provincial secretaries of the departments concerned to come out of their offices and visit the affected areas to monitor the relief activities. He said that the role of police is of paramount importance in the rescue work and the Inspector General of Police should visit the affected areas to review the performance of policemen and Punjab Constabulary personnel should also be deployed immediately in these areas. He said that in addition to police, Civil Defence volunteers should also be mobilized for relief activities. He directed that financial assistance for each flood victim be increased from Rs. one lakh to Rs. three lakh and funds be released immediately for carrying out relief activities. He also directed the Food Department to take special measures to protect food stock. He said that a special cell has been set up headed by Chief Secretary to monitor flood situation and relief work in the province. Earlier, Senior Member Board of Revenue Akhlaq Ahmad Tarar, while giving a detailed briefing about the flood situation and precautionary measures, said that all the departments are fully alert to meet any eventuality and instructions have been issued to all Commissioners and DCOs in this regard. Giving details about discharge of water from various rivers and situation of flood, he said that flow of water in Nullah Leh is normal. He also informed about the losses caused by flood in Mianwali and Rajanpur, and added that hill torrents have caused losses in Rajanpur and special camps have been set up in the area for carrying out relief activities. Secretaries of Health, Irrigation and Livestock departments informed about the relief activities and camps set up in affected areas. Secretary Communications and Works informed about the damages caused by landslides in Murree and steps taken for the repair of roads. The representative of Meteorological Department informed the meeting that more than usual rains has been forecast during monsoon this year. The Chief Secretary informed the Chief Minister that all departments are playing an active role in helping the people affected by flood and rains. He said that a special cell has also been set up to monitor the situation.