Speaking on the occasion, Executive Director of the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Public Administration (MGIPA) G.S. Cheema said Punjab was one of the flood-prone states of the country bearing an annual loss of nearly Rs. 200 crore. Relating the devastation caused by the floods in Patiala in 1993, he said that during the floods 150 humans and nearly 4000 animals had perished. He called upon the different social organisations to co-operate with the administrative authorities to check floods. He said that in Patiala, the causes of floods are primarily local with unplanned construction being a prime cause since it hampers the natural flow of water.

Commissioner of Patiala Division, R.P.S. Puar laid stress upon the need to take technical experts' opinion in tackling the menace of floods.

A member of the Flood Control Board, Prof G. B. Singh.related that the prime cause of 1993 floods was the non-cleaning of the water gates of the Bhakhra Main Line due to which there was a loss of property worth Rs. 2700 crore.

Another expert from MGIPA, T.C.Goel laid stress on regular cleansing of all the main water bodies in the state while the additional deputy commissioner Patiala stressed upon the proper and timely digging of drains to control floods.

Meanwhile, a construction engineer with the FIE, G.S.Dhillon said that the general public must be made aware about its role in flood control and how to deal with floods.

Among others participating in the seminar were Dean Academic of Punjabi University Patiala, B.S. Bhatia, Prof U.S. Mangat and K.N. Kohli of drainage department.