Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has instructed early planning for preventive measures to safeguard all areas and cities from potential flood losses in the coming year. This directive was announced by Minister for Climate Change Musadik Malik during a media briefing alongside Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar and Chairman NDMA Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik. The briefing followed a review meeting on the rain and flood situation, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
According to Radio Pakistan, Musadik Malik emphasized the need to shift focus from rescue operations to preventive strategies for the upcoming year. He highlighted the necessity of improving drainage systems and mentioned the Prime Minister's advice to commence construction of essential infrastructure, such as gabion walls, starting next month. The Minister also noted that the country is experiencing the penultimate spell of the Monsoon rains, with the final spell anticipated in the first ten days of the next month.
During the briefing, Attaullah Tarar assured that the Federal Government is closely monitoring the situation, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif fully aware of developments. Chairman NDMA Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik provided an update on the monsoon situation, noting a focus on rising water levels in the Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers, where medium to high-level flooding is expected. He reported that flood-prone areas along these rivers have been alerted, and evacuations are underway.
The Chairman NDMA stated that approximately 190,000 people along the Sutlej River have been relocated to safe areas with assistance from PDMA Punjab and Rescue 1122. He asserted that the situation remains under control due to the collaboration between PDMA and federal institutions. However, he acknowledged significant damage to crops, properties, and infrastructure in the affected regions. An infrastructural audit will be conducted post-floods to assess the damages, as directed by the Prime Minister.
In conclusion, Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik expressed hope that adherence to weather alerts will enable continued minimization of losses, supported by early warning systems.