NAROWAL, Aug 28 (Alliance News): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday underscored the urgent need to expand water storage infrastructure to minimize the devastating impact of flash floods and protect lives and livelihoods across the country.
Chairing a high-level meeting to review the flood situation, the prime minister stressed that enhancing storage capacity was crucial and directed immediate action.
“Storage capacity is the need of the hour, and without wasting any more time, we should start work in this regard,” he said.
He emphasized mobilizing domestic resources for the construction of dams and reservoirs nationwide, while calling for the speedy completion of major projects, including the Diamer-Bhasha Dam, to safeguard against future disasters.
Highlighting the scale of destruction, the prime minister noted that floods, which first hit northern regions, were now wreaking havoc in Punjab’s plains.
He offered prayers for those who lost their lives and commended the coordinated efforts of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the Pakistan Army, and civil departments for minimizing losses through timely rescue and relief operations.
Recalling the devastating 2022 floods in Sindh and Balochistan, Shehbaz Sharif warned that Pakistan remained among the top ten countries most vulnerable to climate change. He urged all institutions to strengthen preparedness and adopt short-, medium-, and long-term strategies through decisive action.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif expressed grief over the loss of lives and destruction of crops and infrastructure but clarified that no deaths occurred due to negligence or lack of coordination.
She praised NDMA, PDMA, police, civil defense, and the Pakistan Army for rescuing more than 50,000 people and evacuating vulnerable populations through an effective early warning system. She noted that livestock losses were minimal due to swift operations.
The chief minister said around 200 kilometers of roads had been damaged and ordered immediate restoration of temporary routes.
She directed authorities to drain inundated areas of the Gurdwara, activate field hospitals, and divert 1,000 mobile clinics to flood-affected regions. Stocks of vaccines were also prioritized for women, children, and the elderly.
Maryam Nawaz reiterated the need for long-term water storage infrastructure to reduce wastage and ensure rehabilitation.
Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal expressed concern over climate change impacts, stressing that disaster response gaps must be identified and addressed. He pointed out that while Pakistan suffered heavy losses, neighboring India faced less damage due to stronger infrastructure.
He urged agriculture banks to provide concessional loans to farmers for recovery and self-reliance.
Earlier, Chairman NDMA Lt. General Inam Haider gave a detailed briefing on the overall flood situation in Punjab.
