Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has instructed for planning preventive measures for the next year to safeguard all areas and cities from flood losses. This was stated by Minister for Climate Change Musadik Malik, while talking to the media, along with Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar and Chairman NDMA Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik, after a review meeting regarding the rain and flood situation held in Islamabad today with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the chair.
According to Radio Pakistan, Musadik Malik emphasized the need to focus on prevention rather than rescue for the coming year, highlighting the importance of improving drainage systems. He noted that the Prime Minister has advised starting the construction of necessary infrastructure, such as gabion walls, from next month. Malik also mentioned that the country is currently experiencing the second last spell of the Monsoon rains, with the final spell expected in the first ten days of the next month.
Adding to the discussion, Attaullah Tarar stated that the Federal Government is maintaining a vigilant eye on the situation, and the Prime Minister is fully aware of all developments. Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik, Chairman NDMA, provided an update on the monsoon situation, noting that the focus is on the rising water levels in the Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers, where medium to high level flooding is anticipated.
The Chairman NDMA reported that all flood-prone areas along these rivers have been alerted and evacuations are underway. Approximately 190,000 people living in areas along the Sutlej River have been relocated to safer places with the assistance of PDMA Punjab and Rescue 1122. He stressed that the situation is under control due to the collaboration between PDMA and federal institutions.
Inam Haider Malik also mentioned that many crops, properties, and infrastructure have suffered damage due to the flooding. He stated that once the flood situation subsides, a detailed infrastructural audit will be conducted as per the Prime Minister's directives to assess the damages. The Chairman expressed hope that people will heed weather alerts, allowing for minimized losses through early warning systems.