National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), organized a seminar titled “Urban Flood Resilience Measures – Vision 2027: Beyond the Rains and Floods” at the National Emergencies Operation Center (NEOC), NDMA Headquarters, Islamabad.
The seminar brought together representatives of relevant government departments, development authorities, urban planning professionals, water management experts and other stakeholders to deliberate on recurring urban flooding and measures required to strengthen urban flood resilience. The discussions highlighted that urban flooding cannot be addressed through rainfall management alone and requires a comprehensive approach encompassing drainage capacity, urban development, infrastructure maintenance, stormwater management and institutional coordination.
The participants reviewed urban flooding experienced during 2025–26, major flood-prone and vulnerable areas, exposed infrastructure and existing drainage systems. Discussions also focused on stormwater runoff, drainage network capacity and deterioration, retention and pumping arrangements, restoration of natural drainage corridors, and gaps in institutional coordination and emergency response.
Participants deliberated on priority interventions that could be undertaken before June 2027, including structural and non-structural measures, improved drainage maintenance and preparedness, enhancement of stormwater management and drainage capacity, protection of natural drainage pathways, and integration of flood resilience considerations into urban planning and development.
The seminar also provided a platform for CDA, WASA, RDA, LDA and other development authorities and partners to identify institutional responsibilities and areas requiring coordinated action for reducing urban flood risks and building resilient urban infrastructure.
In his closing remarks, Chairman NDMA, Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik, HI (M), emphasized the need for a proactive and coordinated approach to urban flood management, with greater focus on preparedness, infrastructure resilience, institutional ownership and timely implementation of identified interventions. He underscored the importance of moving beyond a reactive response to rainfall and floods towards sustained, long-term urban resilience planning.
The seminar concluded with emphasis on coordinated follow-up actions and practical interventions under the Vision 2027 framework to enhance the resilience of Pakistan’s urban centres against recurrent flooding.
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