Islamabad – July 8, 2025
With monsoon rains intensifying across the country, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and all concerned agencies to remain on high alert to tackle the rising risk of floods.
In a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office on Monday, Sharif expressed concern over potential flooding in low-lying and river-adjacent areas, particularly along the Indus River and its tributaries.
“The NDMA must ensure close coordination with the Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs) for a swift and unified response,” the Prime Minister said. He also emphasized the importance of enhanced collaboration between federal and provincial institutions to strengthen preparedness and mitigation efforts.
Sharif urged provincial governments to ramp up public information campaigns, stressing that timely communication could save lives. “People must be informed and ready — public awareness is our first line of defense against disaster,” he remarked.
The Prime Minister also instructed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to utilize all communication platforms — including SMS alerts, social media, and local broadcasters — to deliver real-time updates, especially regarding operations of critical infrastructure like the Tarbela Dam spillway. Uncontrolled water discharge from the dam, he warned, could worsen flooding downstream if not properly managed and communicated.
In addition, Sharif tasked the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) with identifying and classifying flood-prone areas into high, medium, and low-risk zones. He directed the NEOC to share these classifications widely through both traditional and digital media channels, ensuring communities have enough time to evacuate or prepare.
“All provincial governments must be fully mobilized to act quickly in the face of any emergency,” Sharif added.
His directives come amid rising water levels and widespread concern following a new weather alert issued by the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), which forecasts heavy to very heavy monsoon rainfall in several regions. The PMD has warned of flash floods, urban flooding, and landslides in vulnerable areas over the coming days.
Emergency services across the country are now on standby, with rescue teams and medical units preparing for possible deployment.
