PR No. 44

EMERGENCY RESPONSE COMMITTEE HOLDS 11TH MEETING TO REVIEW MONSOON SITUATION AND NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS

Islamabad: August 05, 2026

On directions of Prime Minister, NDMA continues to conduct national Emergency Response Committee (ERC). Today, the 11th meeting of the Emergency Response Committee (ERC) was held at the National Emergencies Operations Centre (NEOC), Headquarters NDMA, Islamabad, under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, through video link. The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr. Musadik Malik, Federal Minister for Water Resources, Mian Muhammad Mueen Wattoo, Chairman NDMA Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik, representatives of PDMAs, Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) and senior officials from other relevant federal ministries and departments.

The Committee reviewed the prevailing monsoon situation across the country, current hydrological conditions, weather outlook, emergency preparedness measures and coordinated response arrangements. The National Emergencies Operations Centre (NEOC) presented a comprehensive situational briefing, highlighting the latest weather forecasts, river flows, vulnerable locations and anticipated impacts of the ongoing monsoon spell. The Committee was informed that rainfall activity is expected to persist over the upper catchments of major rivers, Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab and parts of Sindh during the next 48 hours, with localized urban flooding, flash floods and increased flows in hill torrents and nullahs remaining possible whereas there is possibility of increase in temperature in parts of Balochistan.

Chairman NDMA briefed the Committee on the recent visit of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, Chief of Army Staff & Chief of Defence Forces, to the National Emergencies Operations Centre (NEOC). During the visit, the Chief of Army Staff reviewed the national disaster preparedness framework, operational readiness and inter-agency coordination mechanisms. The Chairman informed the Committee that the Chief of Army Staff appreciated NDMA's efforts in strengthening national preparedness and emphasized continued synergy among all stakeholders to ensure timely response and protection of communities at risk. Chairman NDMA also apprised the session about field visits by NDMA team to affected areas of Narowal and Sheikhupura to assess the relief operations and readiness at district level.

Provincial authorities briefed the Committee on preparedness measures, availability of rescue resources, emergency stockpiles, evacuation planning and coordination with district administrations. Particular emphasis was placed on ensuring uninterrupted communication, timely dissemination of early warnings, pre-positioning of relief resources and maintaining readiness of response agencies in vulnerable districts.

The Chair emphasized that all departments must continue working in close coordination and ensure swift implementation of preparedness and response measures. The public is advised to follow official advisories, avoid unnecessary travel to vulnerable areas during heavy rainfall, and stay updated through the Pak NDMA Disaster Alert App and official NDMA communication platforms.

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