Chandigarh, Aug 21 (IANS): Punjab Local Bodies Minister Brahm Mohindra on Wednesday directed official to ensure measures to prevent any disease outbreak in state, especially in the low lying areas, in view of heavy rains over the past few days.

Chairing a high-level meeting here to review the overall preparedness of the department, Mohindra also instructed the authorities to ensure plugging of open sewage holes to prevent its mixing with the potable water pipes.

Expressing satisfaction over receding water levels in most of the cities, the minister also directed the authorities to put the low-lying areas under surveillance and pump out stagnant water to avoid waterlogging.

Underlining the need to maintain high level of cleanliness, the minister also asked the Municipal Commissioners and regional Deputy Directors of all Nagar Panchayats, nagar councils, municipal committees and improvement trusts to make sure that the garbage is cleared regularly.