ISLAMABAD, September 8, 2026: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal has directed all relevant institutions to maintain operational readiness to respond to any potential weather or hydrological emergency.
He issued the directions while chairing the 18th meeting of the Emergency Response Committee (ERC) at the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) headquarters in Islamabad. The meeting was convened on the directions of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to review the evolving weather and hydrological situation and assess national preparedness.
Chairman NDMA Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik, representatives of Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs), the Pakistan Meteorological Department and relevant federal and provincial departments attended the meeting.
The committee reviewed the prevailing weather conditions, rising temperature trends, river flows and the weather outlook for the coming days.
The NDMA briefed participants that no active monsoon system is currently affecting Pakistan, while temperatures are expected to increase in various parts of the country in the coming days.
The committee directed relevant authorities to remain alert in areas likely to experience higher temperatures and assess potential impacts associated with the rise in temperatures.
The National Emergencies Operations Centre (NEOC) is continuing to closely monitor the country’s weather and hydrological conditions to support timely decision-making and emergency preparedness.
The committee stressed the need for timely issuance of weather warnings and advisories in response to any significant change in weather conditions. It also directed authorities to maintain effective coordination and communication among relevant institutions at the federal, provincial and district levels.
Professor Ahsan Iqbal emphasized that all concerned departments and response agencies must maintain operational preparedness to deal with any potential weather or hydrological hazards.
He added that NDMA, through the NEOC, would continue monitoring the national weather and hydrological situation and provide timely updates to relevant stakeholders.
NDMA said weather advisories would continue to be issued according to evolving conditions to ensure that the public and relevant authorities are informed about potential risks in a timely manner.
The continued monitoring reflects Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen early warning systems, disaster preparedness and coordinated response mechanisms amid increasing exposure to weather and climate-related hazards.
