LAHORE: In a landmark move to strengthen disaster preparedness, Pakistan’s Punjab province has launched drone monitoring of all barrages, rivers and headworks for the first time, enabling authorities to issue early flood warnings and protect communities from potential flood emergencies.
“The Safe City drones are being used to monitor water levels at rivers, headworks and barrages to facilitate early detection of incoming flood waves,” Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz said. The drone monitoring system will help identify any approaching flood surges in advance and strengthen flood preparedness across the province.
The Chief Minister has directed all relevant departments to utilise every available human and mechanical resource to effectively deal with urban flooding, hill torrents and possible flood emergencies across the province.
پنجاب میں پہلی مرتبہ سیلاب کی پیشگی اطلاع کے لئے ڈرون مانیٹرنگ شروع
وزیراعلیٰ پنجاب مریم نواز کی ہدایت پر تمام بیراج،دریاؤں اورہیڈ ورکس کی ڈرون سرویلنس
دریاؤ ں،ہیڈ ورکس اوربیراجوں میں واٹر لیول کا جائزہ لینے کیلئے سیف سٹی ڈرون مانیٹرنگ کی گئی#Lahore #CmPunjab
#SupremeCourt pic.twitter.com/tLfYhpWlXr— Sumair jamil (@sumair_shah123) July 23, 2026
Strict action ordered against electrocution, ban on swimming enforced
Chairing a meeting to review the monsoon situation, Punjab’s Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also instructed the Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) and other power distribution companies (Discos) to take immediate notice of deaths caused by electrocution during rains.
“People are losing their lives because of the negligence of power distribution companies. Dangling electric wires on utility poles have become a serious threat to human life,” she said.
Read Also: Pakistan Floods: 72 Dead as Heavy Rains Wreak Havoc, India’s Water Release Worsens Situation
She also ordered strict enforcement of the ban on swimming in rivers, dams and barrages, along with drone monitoring of vulnerable sites to prevent tragic drownings during the monsoon season.
As part of flood monitoring and preparedness efforts, aerial inspections of rivers and barrages through drones are being conducted to support proactive flood readiness and identify potential risks. These inspections enable timely assessment, allowing for early warnings and prompt… pic.twitter.com/DVZ6PCkkPW
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) July 23, 2026
Public advisories, building inspections, and emergency evacuations ordered
Chief Minister directed the administration to use mosques, electronic media and social media platforms to issue timely public advisories regarding rainfall and flood conditions. She also ordered that all construction sites be secured during the monsoon season.
She instructed district administration officers to inspect dilapidated and unsafe buildings and ensure their voluntary evacuation where necessary. She further directed that manholes, drains and roadside pits be properly secured and ordered immediate drainage of rainwater from commercial centres and other public places on a priority basis.
Read Also: Pakistan Weather Department Forecasts Nationwide Rainfall, Warns of Flooding
High-risk districts on alert, landslide precautions in Murree
Punjab’s Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz ordered advance flood warnings and timely evacuation measures in Multan and Dera Ghazi Khan in view of the risk of urban flooding and hill torrents. She directed that monsoon flood control rooms should remain operational around the clock in every district across Punjab.
In the hill station of Murree, she ordered precautionary evacuation in areas vulnerable to landslides and directed authorities to warn tourists through public announcements about potential risks.
Landslides due to incessant and heavy rainfall in Murree are being cleared and people are being evacuated. pic.twitter.com/YlGQqAZreM
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) July 22, 2026
Coordination and live monitoring of underpasses
Punjab’s Chief Minister also instructed the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa), Rescue 1122, Local Government Department and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to ensure complete coordination.
Read Also: What is a Smog Gun and How it Helps Lahore Cut Air Pollution by 70%?
She directed live monitoring of underpasses across the province, stating: “A live feed system has been introduced to identify rainwater accumulation in underpasses during the monsoon season and ensure immediate drainage.”
