Shafaqna Pakistan: Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir on Tuesday underscored the need for preparedness, strong inter-agency coordination and a rapid response to protect lives and critical infrastructure as the country continues to face flooding and monsoon rains, according to the military’s media wing.
During his visit to the National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) at the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) headquarters, the field marshal reaffirmed the armed forces’ full support to the civil administration and the NDMA in carrying out relief, rescue and rehabilitation efforts, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.
Field Marshal Munir was also briefed on Pakistan’s disaster preparedness measures and the coordinated response framework in place to deal with the ongoing monsoon season.
The NDMA chairman briefed the chief of defence staff on the operational capabilities of the NEOC and its technology-enabled response mechanisms, including “Disaster Lens 2026”, which presented the prevailing monsoon situation and multi-hazard monitoring mechanisms.
According to the ISPR, Field Marshal Munir commended the NDMA’s efforts to strengthen Pakistan’s national disaster management capacity and reiterated the importance of preparedness, effective inter-agency coordination and swift response to safeguard lives and critical infrastructure.
The military’s media wing said he also reassured the civil administration and the NDMA that the Pakistan armed forces remained fully prepared to assist in relief, rescue and rehabilitation operations.
Last month, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered the establishment of a national emergency response mechanism to intensify preparations for the monsoon season.
At its latest meeting on Sunday, the committee directed authorities to maintain maximum preparedness and accelerate relief and rehabilitation efforts as fresh rain was forecast for northern and central Pakistan, with isolated showers also expected in southeastern Sindh.
Officials warned that rain is expected to persist over northern and central parts of the country in the coming days, while isolated showers are also likely in parts of southeastern Sindh.
The warning came after the NDMA said water levels in Pakistan’s major rivers were expected to rise significantly between Aug 2 and 4, prompting flood alerts across several regions.
According to the NDMA, streams linked to the Jhelum, Chenab, and Ravi rivers could experience medium-to-high flows. In contrast, water levels in the Ravi and Sutlej rivers would depend on releases from Indian reservoirs.
The authority also cautioned about the risk of flash floods in the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur, as well as seasonal streams in central and southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and northern Balochistan.
Source: Express Tribune
