ISLAMABAD by IMTISAL BUKHARI
Chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Lieutenant General Inam Haider, has warned that a new spell of heavy rains is expected across parts of the country from August 22 to 24, and there is a high flood threat in the River Sutlej. Immediate evacuation measures are being undertaken to move citizens from vulnerable areas to safer locations.
He shared this information during a media briefing on Friday alongside Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, following a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Chairman NDMA stated that during the ongoing monsoon season, the early warning system has been effectively utilized. He added that in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, flood response and management efforts have been successfully completed. The Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps (FC), medical professionals, and other agencies played a vital role in rescue operations, saving many lives.
He further informed that, on the Prime Minister’s special directives, immediate relief has been provided to flood-affected people in camps, including the distribution of tents, blankets, and food supplies. He noted that these victims will continue to require care and support in the coming days, with full cooperation from the provincial government, district administration, armed forces, and law enforcement agencies.
General Inam Haider warned that the water level in the River Sutlej is continuously rising, with the current flow recorded at 150,000 cusecs, which may increase to 200,000 cusecs in the coming days. In light of this, evacuation instructions have already been issued for residents in low-lying riverbank areas.
He emphasized that NDMA, in collaboration with the Government of Pakistan, Armed Forces, provincial administrations, and Rescue 1122, is actively raising public awareness to ensure timely evacuations. The NDMA mobile app is also providing clear guidelines and alerts for public use.
Chairman NDMA called upon the media to play its role in spreading awareness at the local level to help prevent any loss of life. He concluded by stating that the government is utilizing all available resources to ensure timely protection, rescue, and relief for citizens, and to manage this natural calamity effectively.
