GHOTKI: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today announced a Rs1 billion relief package for flood affected areas of Sindh while visiting the affected areas in Ghotki district along with Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah.

During his visit to the area, the prime minister was briefed by officials of the irrigation department on the current situation in the province was also informed that urban areas of Sukkur are not under threat of flooding.

Officials present in the briefing informed the prime minister about a shortage of funds to improve the canal system in the province and to further reinforce protective embankments which protect vulnerable communities along the river.

Read: Rains cause widespread devastation in Sindh

Provincial irrigation officials also informed the prime minister that a state of high to very high flood would persist in the province till August 10.

“I have directed concerned authorities to draft a report about damages caused by floods this year, and the federal government would help all the provinces to overcome losses suffered due to floods,” said the prime minister.

“I have also directed the provincial government of Sindh to fix responsibility for inadequate contingency measures taken by the concerned officials in spite of timely flood forecasts,” added Nawaz.

Nawaz Sharif reiterated to the people of the affected district that the federal government would not abandon them and will take all measures to alleviate their suffering.

Read more: Relief operations continue in flood-hit areas across Pakistan

The prime minister also visited a camp for flood affectees in Qadirpur and distributed relief goods.

Relief operations were initiated earlier in Sindh's flood-hit areas of Sukkur, Larkana, Khairpur, Kashmor and Ghotki. More than 500 villages in these districts have reportedly been submerged due to rising flood water in River Indus.

Pakistan has suffered from monsoon floods for the last few years and has been criticised for not doing enough to mitigate against the dangers posed by seasonal rains washing away homes and farmland.

In 2010, the worst floods in the country's history killed almost 1,800 people and affected 21 million.