Shehbaz Sharif Calls for Unified Strategy to Combat Intensifying Monsoon Rains

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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has urged a coordinated, province-inclusive plan to tackle the escalating impact of monsoon rains, stressing the need for strong collaboration among federal and provincial agencies. Speaking at the National Emergencies Operation Centre under the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in Islamabad, Sharif highlighted the importance of preparedness to reduce future damage caused by increasingly intense cloudbursts.

During the briefing, Sharif emphasized that the Ministry of Climate Change and the Ministry of Planning must work hand-in-hand with the NDMA and provincial governments to devise a comprehensive approach aimed at minimizing flood-related losses. He assured that the NDMA would receive all necessary resources and equipment to effectively execute this strategy.

Sharif also commended the NDMA and provincial authorities for their swift and effective rescue and relief efforts amid the current monsoon challenges. He expressed optimism that provinces would enhance their emergency response capabilities by investing in modern technology and tools.

Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik, Chairman of the NDMA, informed the prime minister that this year’s monsoon season has brought rainfall amounts 60 to 70 percent higher than last year. While Pakistan typically experiences around nine monsoon spells annually, the NDMA expects two to three additional spells this season. Despite the heavier rainfall, the chairman reassured that the risk of major flooding remains low, as all rivers are currently maintaining normal flow levels.

Tragically, the intensified rains have already claimed 178 lives and injured approximately 500 people across the country. The situation has prompted emergency declarations in parts of Punjab, underlining the urgency for improved disaster preparedness and response.

This call for a unified, well-equipped approach underscores the critical need for Pakistan to strengthen its resilience against increasingly volatile weather patterns without relying on ineffective governance strategies that have failed to protect citizens in the past.