Deputy Commissioners alerted in vulnerable districts as rainfall continues; committee stresses stronger coordination, safer construction practices and accelerated relief efforts.
ISLAMABAD, Aug 2: The Emergency Response Committee (ERC), on the directions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, held its 10th consecutive session at the National Emergencies Operations Centre (NEOC) of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Saturday to review the evolving monsoon situation and coordinate nationwide preparedness and response measures.
The meeting was chaired via video link by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal and attended by representatives of relevant federal ministries, provincial governments, chief secretaries, Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs), and other response agencies.
Chairman NDMA and the NEOC team presented a comprehensive briefing on the prevailing monsoon situation, including the latest weather outlook, human and material losses, ongoing rescue, relief and rehabilitation operations, and the overall national response.
The committee was informed that all Deputy Commissioners in districts vulnerable to heavy rainfall and flooding had already been alerted to ensure timely preparedness and prompt emergency response.
Officials also briefed participants on the flood situation triggered by recent rainfall and the coordinated response being undertaken by federal, provincial and district authorities.
According to the NEOC, rainfall is expected to continue over northern and central parts of the country during the coming days, while isolated showers are also likely in parts of southeastern Sindh.
The committee was further informed that NDMA, in coordination with national and international humanitarian organisations, is continuing relief operations in the affected areas.
During the briefing, participants were told that a significant proportion of fatalities reported during the current monsoon season resulted from the collapse of vulnerable structures and poorly constructed buildings. The committee emphasized the need to strengthen public awareness on disaster safety and ensure stricter enforcement of safe construction standards to reduce future risks.
The ERC appreciated the coordinated efforts of federal ministries, provincial governments, district administrations, the Armed Forces, rescue services and all responding agencies in assisting affected communities during the ongoing monsoon season.
Concluding the meeting, the committee directed all stakeholders to further strengthen inter-agency coordination, maintain a high level of preparedness, accelerate relief and rehabilitation activities, and ensure timely implementation of preventive measures to minimise the impact of future weather events across the country.
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