Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has instructed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), rescue agencies and provincial administrations to remain alert in the light of recent rains that have increased the risk of flooding in Pakistan.
In a statement from the Prime Minister’s office on Monday, Sharif emphasized the importance of immediate caution measures, particularly in areas that border the Indo River and other important river paths, where floods are more likely.
“The NDMA is to coordinate closely with the provincial authorities of Disaster Management (PDMA) to guarantee a quick and coordinated response,” said Sharif. He also ordered the NDMA to improve collaboration with provincial governments and relevant institutions to improve preparation and response efforts.
The prime minister stressed the need for public awareness and urged all provincial administrations to continue the solid information campaigns to keep citizens informed about the situation in evolution. “Public awareness is key to preventing casualties and damage,” he added.
Sharif also instructed the Telecommunications Authority of Pakistan (PTA) to guarantee real -time and precise updates through all available communication channels, with a particular approach to the potential risks proposed by the operation of the spill of the Tarbela dam, which could exacerbate the floods downstream.
Read more: Heavy rain forecast parts of Pakistan at risk of flooding
In addition, he asked the National Emergency Operation Center (NEOC) to classify vulnerable areas such as high, medium or low flood risks and communicate these risks clearly to the public through the media. “The appropriate warnings are crucial to minimize the impact of potential floods,” he said.
Sharif concluded by ordering that all provincial administrations are fully prepared to respond quickly and effectively to any emergency situation.
This occurs when parts of the country face the increased flood risks after the recent rain, with the authorities that work tirelessly to mitigate the threat raised by the swollen rivers and other bodies of water.
The Department of Meteorology of Pakistan (PMD) has issued an alert throughout the country, warning that very heavy monzone rains can cause sudden floods, landslides and urban floods in several districts in the coming days.
Also read: NDMA emits a new alert for heavy rains, storms throughout the country
Sudden floods are expected in local nullahs and currents of Murree, Galliyat, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Buner, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Nowshera, Swabi, Mardan, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Hill Torrents of DG Khan, Northeast Punjab, Kashmir, Kashmir, Kashmir, Kashmir, and several districts of Barka Kohlu, Musa Khel, Dera Bugti, Lorealai, Bolan, Zhob, Ziarat, Kalat, Khuzdar, Awaran and Lasbela.
PMD said that land landslides and landslides can cause road closures in vulnerable mountainous areas of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Murree, Galliyat and Kashmir.
Urban floods can occur in low areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Nowshera and Peshawar, warned the meteorological department.
