Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has issued directives to all relevant institutions to maintain a high state of alert during the upcoming Monsoon season. These instructions were given during a meeting focused on national preparedness for potential monsoon emergencies.

According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, The Prime Minister chaired a meeting in Islamabad to review the country’s readiness for the monsoon season. During the meeting, he formed a high-level committee to address any emergency situations that may arise and instructed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to support provincial governments and related institutions.

The attendees of the meeting were briefed on the expected heavy monsoon rains across all provinces in the initial weeks of the month, with a particular focus on the movement of monsoon patterns from southeast to north across Pakistan. Specific forecasts include heavy rains in the Potohar region and eastern Punjab initially, with subsequent heavy rainfall expected in Karachi, Mirpur Khas, Nawabshah, Sukkur, and Hyderabad. The monsoon rains are also anticipated to remain active in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through the third week of the following month.

In terms of preparedness, the NDMA has introduced a mobile application for monsoon alerts and weather updates, which is currently being utilized by residents in vulnerable areas. Additionally, a National Monsoon Contingency Plan has been prepared and circulated among relevant institutions and provincial authorities to ensure coordinated emergency response efforts.

Rescue agencies, including the NDMA, Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMA), and troops from the Pakistan Army, have been placed on constant high alert to respond to any incidents resulting from the monsoon rains. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of disseminating advance information to farmers and residents near rivers and canals, ensuring that advisories reach those in affected areas promptly.