PM Shehbaz directs full preparedness amid monsoon rains, floods

Islamabad (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday instructed all federal and provincial authorities to remain on high alert and maintain complete preparedness to respond to any emergencies caused by the ongoing monsoon rains and flood situation across the country.

Chairing a high-level review meeting in Islamabad, the prime minister assessed the impact of the current monsoon spell and directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to maintain close coordination with provincial disaster management authorities and provincial governments.

He also emphasized the timely sharing of weather forecasts and monsoon-related updates with all relevant institutions.

Shehbaz Sharif tasked Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal with presiding over daily meetings of the Flood Committee to closely monitor developments and devise an effective response strategy.

The prime minister stressed that the early warning system for Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) and flash floods in the country's northern regions must remain fully functional to ensure timely alerts.

Highlighting Pakistan's vulnerability to climate change, Shehbaz Sharif said the country contributes only a small share of global greenhouse gas emissions but remains among the nations most severely affected by climate-related disasters.

He added that the government is pursuing short-, medium-, and long-term measures to reduce the impact of climate change.

He further directed the NDMA, in collaboration with all concerned departments, to take every possible measure to safeguard lives and property during the ongoing monsoon season.

During the meeting, the NDMA and chief secretaries from all four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir briefed participants on recent rainfall, the extent of damage, and rescue and rehabilitation efforts.

Officials informed the meeting that the NDMA is providing full assistance and resources to provincial governments to tackle flooding in northern areas and the ongoing heatwave affecting Sindh and Balochistan.

The meeting was also told that another heavy spell of monsoon rainfall is expected over the next two days in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and southern Sindh, while a fresh nationwide spell is forecast for the second week of September.

Participants were informed that the Flood Committee established on the prime minister's instructions is meeting regularly to monitor the situation and oversee the implementation of rescue, relief and rehabilitation operations.

According to the briefing, the current monsoon season has so far claimed 110 lives, left 360 people injured, damaged 796 homes, and caused the death of 376 livestock.

Officials also warned that the ongoing El Niño phenomenon has accelerated glacier melting in Pakistan's northern regions, increasing the likelihood of GLOFs and flash floods over the coming month. Vulnerable locations have already been identified, and precautionary measures are being implemented.

The meeting was informed that immediate action has helped control urban flooding in central Punjab, including Lahore, while drainage operations are continuing in agricultural areas affected by floodwaters.

Authorities said the flood situation in Dera Ghazi Khan and nearby districts is currently under control.

Officials further stated that timely efforts have restored road access at 106 locations across the country.

The participants were also briefed that the National Emergency and Telecommunication Centre, established by the Ministry of Information Technology, is fully operational, enabling Rescue 1122 to respond promptly to emergency calls from any mobile phone.

The meeting was informed that 700 locations have been identified nationwide for storing rainwater during the monsoon season to support agricultural needs during dry periods.