PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Sohail Afridi has directed the Relief, Rehabilitation and Settlement Department for timely preparation of a comprehensive contingency for controlling the potential risk of cloudbursts and flash floods during the upcoming summer season.
He issued these directives while chairing a high-level meeting of the Relief, Rehabilitation and Settlement Department via video link to review the department’s performance, ongoing relief operations, and preparedness for potential natural disasters in the province.
He was given a comprehensive briefing on the core functions of the Relief, Rehabilitation and Settlement Department, its attached institutions, ongoing relief operations, reform initiatives, and other related matters.
In light of the potential risk of cloudbursts and flash floods during the upcoming summer season, the Chief Minister emphasised the need for the timely preparation of a comprehensive contingency plan. He directed the concerned authorities to ensure effective and sustainable mitigation measures at vulnerable locations to address potential flood situations.
He stressed that merely constructing conventional protective walls was not sufficient and that authorities must assess the effectiveness of existing flood protection infrastructure while identifying additional measures to safeguard lives and property.
The Chief Minister further directed that vulnerable sites along riverbanks be carefully assessed, and where necessary, riverbed cleaning and related preventive measures be undertaken jointly by the Mines and Minerals Department and the Irrigation Department.
He also instructed the relevant authorities to launch a coordinated and effective anti-encroachment campaign in riverbeds and major urban areas immediately after Ramadan, in order to minimize risks and reduce potential losses during natural disasters.
The meeting also reviewed progress on the compensation process for Temporarily Displaced Persons (TDPs) across various districts.
The Chief Minister directed officials to accelerate compensation disbursements, assess the needs of other affected districts, and present details of the resources required to address any funding shortfall.
He instructed relevant authorities to review the dashboard on a daily basis to ensure preparedness and prevent operational gaps during emergencies.
Regarding the strengthening of Rescue 1122 services, the meeting was informed that recruitment for 1,326 positions is currently underway.
The meeting also reviewed progress on the procurement of medical motorbikes for rescue services. The Chief Minister directed that the required funds be provided and instructed the authorities to develop a comprehensive plan for the deployment of medical motorbikes at all divisional headquarters.
The meeting was informed that progress on establishing Rescue 1122 offices at the tehsil level is under way and that all tehsils in the province are expected to have operational Rescue offices by 2027.
The participants were also briefed that work is underway on the formulation of a Five-Year Disaster Risk Reduction Plan (DRRP) and the Provincial Disaster Management Plan (PDMP). These plans will be presented to the provincial cabinet for final approval after endorsement by the relevant forums.
It was further noted that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is set to become the first province in Pakistan to develop a comprehensive five-year Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Management framework.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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