Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to provide every possible assistance and relief to people in flood-affected areas.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the prime minister gave the directives during a meeting with NDMA Chairman Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik.
The prime minister directed that “all available resources should be utilised to provide every possible assistance and relief to the people in flood-affected areas”.
He further instructed the NDMA to maintain effective coordination with relevant provincial institutions and Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs).
The prime minister also appreciated the use of artificial intelligence and modern technology at the National Emergencies Operation Centre.
During the meeting, the NDMA chairman briefed the prime minister on the country’s weather situation, particularly the flood situation in the wake of monsoon rains.
The chairman also briefed the prime minister on relief activities in flood-affected areas and measures being taken for the rehabilitation of flood victims.
With the cooperation of the federal government, NDMA relief operations in flood-affected areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) will continue, the statement quoted the chairman as saying.
According to the NDMA, 155 people have lost their lives and 460 have been injured in rain-related incidents from June 26 to August 14.
Monsoon rains fall across the region from June to September, offering respite from the summer heat and are crucial to replenishing water supplies.
However, heavy downpours also trigger deadly floods, landslides and displacement, particularly in vulnerable, poorly drained, or densely populated areas.
On Friday, the Flood Forecasting Division of the Pakistan Meteorological Department warned of possible high flooding in storm-water nullahs linked to the Chenab and Ravi rivers from Aug 15 to 21 as flows in these waterways continue to rise.
