Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has instructed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), rescue agencies, and provincial administrations to remain on high alert in light of the recent heavy rains that have increased the risk of flooding across Pakistan.
In a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office on Monday, Sharif stressed the importance of immediate precautionary measures, particularly in areas bordering the Indus River and other major waterways, where flooding is most likely.
“The NDMA is to coordinate closely with Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs) to ensure a prompt and coordinated response,” Sharif said. He also directed the NDMA to enhance collaboration with provincial governments and relevant institutions to improve preparedness and response efforts.
The premier underscored the need for public awareness and urged all provincial administrations to continue robust information campaigns to keep citizens informed about the evolving situation. “Public awareness is key in preventing casualties and damage,” he added.
Sharif also instructed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to ensure real-time, accurate updates through all available communication channels, with a particular focus on the potential risks posed by the operation of the Tarbela Dam spillway, which could exacerbate flooding downstream.
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He further called on the National Emergency Operation Center (NEOC) to categorise vulnerable areas as high, medium, or low flood risks and communicate these risks clearly to the public through the media. “Timely warnings are crucial to minimising the impact of potential flooding,” he remarked.
Sharif concluded by directing that all provincial administrations be fully prepared to respond quickly and effectively to any emergency situation.
This comes as parts of the country face heightened flood risks following recent rainfall, with authorities working tirelessly to mitigate the threat posed by swollen rivers and other water bodies.
Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a countrywide alert, warning that heavy to very heavy monsoon rains may lead to flash floods, landslides and urban flooding in several districts in the coming days.
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Flash flooding is expected in local nullahs and streams of Murree, Galliyat, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Buner, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Nowshera, Swabi, Mardan, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, hill torrents of DG Khan, northeast Punjab, Kashmir, and several districts of Balochistan, including Barkhan, Kohlu, Musa Khel, Dera Bugti, Loralai, Bolan, Zhob, Ziarat, Kalat, Khuzdar, Awaran and Lasbela.
PMD said landslides and mudslides may cause road closures in vulnerable hilly areas of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Murree, Galliyat, and Kashmir.
Urban flooding may occur in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Nowshera and Peshawar, warned the meteorological department.
