Islamabad: An Emergency Response Committee, led by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, convened its fifth meeting to assess the national preparedness and response to Monsoon 2026. The meeting, held at the National Emergencies Operation Centre in Islamabad, was attended by key federal ministers and officials via video link.

According to Press Information Department, the meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr. Musadik Masood Malik, Federal Minister for National Food Security, Mr. Rana Tanveer Hussain, and Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja. Chairman NDMA, Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik, along with representatives from federal, provincial departments, and other stakeholders, participated in the discussions. The Committee reviewed measures undertaken by Provincial Disaster Management Authorities and other relevant bodies, focusing on relief supplies, emergency communication, evacuation planning, and inter-agency coordination.

Updates on the hydrological situation indicated that riverine flood conditions remain normal, but continuous monitoring is being conducted to ensure timely early warnings and responses. Dr. Musadik Masood Malik highlighted the importance of local administration in disaster preparedness, urging effective dissemination of early warnings. Professor Ahsan Iqbal commended stakeholder efforts and stressed the need for seamless coordination among institutions.

The meeting directed departments to maintain high preparedness levels and undertake audits of past flood mitigation projects. Recent data indicated 97 deaths and 297 injuries nationally due to incidents such as house collapses, with the highest casualties in KP and Punjab. The NDMA reported 130 rescue operations and the evacuation of 3,841 individuals to safer locations, alongside the coordination and delivery of 219 tons of relief items.