Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in view of the Met Office prediction about an above-normal monsoon rainfall during the last week of June, on Sunday directed the ministries and departments concerned to alert the provinces and district administrations to prepare their strategies to deal with the situation, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Shehbaz Sharif ordered for formulation of a comprehensive strategy in collaboration with the provinces considering the forecast for heavy monsoon downpours. He directed that all precautionary measures should be taken in accordance with the forecast of the meteorological department, besides ensuring arrangements in the low-lying areas and in those regions which could be affected during the rainy period.

The prime minister also asked for timely supply of necessary equipment and other necessary steps for the protection of crops and animals in the agrarian areas. He further observed that residents in the affected areas should be forewarned and shifted to safer areas.

Other steps like proper drainage, dredging of nullahs and water channels and fumigation should also be taken, he added.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), in a statement, has predicted that country was expected to receive “above average rainfall” during the upcoming monsoon season.

It further said that pre-monsoon rains are likely to start in the second week of June.