Narowal (Web Desk/Agencies): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday emphasized the urgent need of expanding Pakistan’s water storage infrastructure to reduce the devastating effects of flash floods and protect both lives and livelihoods.
During a high-level meeting reviewing the ongoing flood situation, he urged that efforts to increase storage capacity must commence without delay.
Highlighting the urgency, he stated that enhancing storage capabilities is paramount and called for immediate action.
PM Shehbaz also stressed the importance of mobilizing financial resources independently to fund the construction of dams and reservoirs across the country.
He specifically mentioned the need for the swift completion of major projects such as the Diamir Bhasha Dam to help mitigate the impact of future natural disasters.
The premier noted that while the floods initially struck the northern regions, they have now caused significant destruction in the plains of Punjab. Offering condolences to those affected by the floods and heavy rains, he praised the collaborative efforts of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the Pakistan Army, and various civil agencies for their prompt and effective rescue and relief work. The prime minister said that this cooperation has been instrumental in reducing losses.
Reflecting on the devastating floods of 2022 that mainly affected Sindh and Balochistan, PM Shehbaz warned that Pakistan remains one of the countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, making such disasters more frequent in the future.
He called upon all departments to strengthen their preparedness by implementing strategies spanning the short, medium, and long term, backed by decisive policymaking.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed profound grief over the loss of lives and damage to crops and infrastructure. She reassured that no fatalities occurred due to lapses in coordination or negligence.
Praising the combined efforts of NDMA, Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), police, civil defense, and the military, she noted that timely evacuations helped rescue over 50,000 people and minimized losses, including the preservation of livestock.
The Punjab CM directed officials to promptly drain floodwaters from affected areas, including parts of a Gurdwara that were fully submerged.
She also ordered the deployment of field hospitals and 1,000 mobile clinics to support flood-affected communities.
Special attention was instructed for vulnerable groups such as women, children, and the elderly, alongside ensuring sufficient vaccine stocks.
Highlighting the destruction of approximately 200 kilometers of roads, Maryam Nawaz called for the immediate restoration of temporary routes to maintain vital connectivity. She reiterated the importance of building infrastructure that maximizes water storage and reduces wastage, underlining the need for sustainable rehabilitation efforts.
Speaking on the occasion, Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal voiced concerns about climate change, emphasizing that effective disaster management can mitigate its impact if existing gaps in response systems are addressed.
He contrasted Pakistan’s situation with India’s, pointing out that stronger infrastructure in India resulted in comparatively less damage from recent floods.
Iqbal also drew attention to the severe disruption in rural connectivity, noting that heavy machinery like bulldozers will be essential for restoring access routes and ensuring continued medical services in the coming days.
Stressing the importance of rehabilitation, he urged agricultural banks to extend concessional loans to farmers affected by floods to aid their recovery and foster economic self-reliance.
Earlier in the meeting, NDMA Chairman Lt. General Inam Haider presented a comprehensive briefing on the flood situation across Punjab, detailing the ongoing response efforts and challenges faced in managing the crisis.