Key points
- PM lauds NDMA and provincial governments for effective relief and rescue operations
- PM confident provinces will upgrade rescue and relief agencies with modern equipment
- Intensity of monsoon rains is 60pc to 70pc higher this year: NDMA
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for formulating a coordinated plan, in consultation with the provinces, to prevent losses in view of growing intensity of cloudbursts, according to state-run Radio Pakistan.
The prime minister was speaking at a briefing given to him at the National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in Islamabad on Thursday regarding the existing monsoon rains and flood situation in the country.
Sharif said the ministries of climate change and planning are required to engage in close coordination with the NDMA and provinces to evolve an effective strategy to mitigate losses caused by rain, Radio Pakistan reported.
Hon’ble Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif visited National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) to review current & evolving monsoon situation. Chairman NDMA, LtG Inam Haider Malik, briefed him on damages incurred,projected seasonal hazards, status of rivers & hydraulic structures. pic.twitter.com/nMb7IRbh2c
— NDMA PAKISTAN (@ndmapk) July 17, 2025
He said all possible equipment and resources would be provided to the NDMA to achieve this objective.
Rescue and relief
The prime minister also commended the NDMA and provincial governments for effectively undertaking relief and rescue operations in the country.
He expressed the confidence that provinces will also upgrade their rescue and relief agencies by providing them with the latest equipment.
According to Radio Pakistan, earlier, briefing the prime minister, Chairman NDMA Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik said intensity of monsoon rains is 60 to 70 per cent higher this year compared to last year.
Monsoon spells
He said traditionally there were around nine monsoon spells but there would be two to three more spells this year.
The chairman, however, ruled out any threat of large-scale flooding as all the rivers in the country are flowing under normal conditions.
Regarding the losses, he said so far, 178 people have died and nearly 500 others have sustained injuries in rain-related incidents.
