PM Orders NDMA to Speed Up Flood Relief Across Pakistan
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday directed the National Disaster Management Authority to intensify support for people affected by flooding as monsoon rains continue to create risks across vulnerable parts of Pakistan. The instructions were issued in Islamabad during a meeting with NDMA Chairman Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik.
The meeting focused on the latest weather and flood situation, with the prime minister seeking updates on relief operations and preparedness measures in high-risk regions. The federal government is placing renewed emphasis on emergency coordination as rainfall, rising water flows and flash-flood threats continue to affect communities in several areas.
According to the briefing, relief operations are expected to continue in flood-hit parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir with support from the federal authorities. The NDMA chairman also informed the prime minister about rehabilitation steps being taken for affected families and the operational role of emergency response teams.
The Prime Minister’s Office said Shehbaz instructed the disaster management authority to use all available resources for public relief and to maintain close coordination with provincial institutions. He also asked the NDMA to work effectively with Provincial Disaster Management Authorities so that response efforts remain organised and timely.
The prime minister also appreciated the use of artificial intelligence and modern technology at the National Emergencies Operation Centre. The use of digital systems is increasingly important because disaster response now depends on early warnings, real-time monitoring, rapid communication and better mapping of danger zones.
The latest intervention comes during Pakistan’s annual monsoon season, which usually runs from June to September and brings both agricultural benefits and serious disaster risks. While rains help replenish water supplies and reduce heat, they can also trigger urban flooding, landslides, river surges and displacement in areas with weak drainage or fragile infrastructure.
Official disaster data cited in the report showed that 155 people had died and 460 others had been injured in rain-related incidents between June 26 and August 14. These figures highlight the human cost of the monsoon spell and reinforce the need for faster rescue, medical assistance, shelter support and restoration of essential services.
The Flood Forecasting Division of the Pakistan Meteorological Department had also warned that storm-water nullahs connected with the Chenab and Ravi rivers could reach high flood levels from August 15 to 21. Such warnings are particularly significant for low-lying settlements, farming communities and districts where sudden water surges can leave residents with little time to move.
The government’s next steps will depend on weather patterns, river flows and the speed of coordination between federal and provincial agencies. For citizens in flood-prone regions, timely alerts, evacuation support, relief supplies and rehabilitation planning will remain crucial in the coming days.