Death toll rises to 110 so far: PM directs prompt response to monsoon-related emergencies

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday placed authorities across the country on high alert as the death toll from monsoon-related incidents rose to 110, with forecasters warning of another spell of heavy rainfall in the coming days.

Chairing a meeting to review the monsoon situation, the prime minister directed federal and provincial authorities to strengthen coordination and ensure emergency response systems remained fully operational amid risks of flooding, flash floods and Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), particularly in northern areas.

He directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), provincial disaster management authorities and other relevant institutions to strengthen coordination and ensure rapid response as forecasts warned of further heavy rainfall in several parts of the country in the coming days.

He also instructed authorities to ensure that early warning systems remained fully operational, particularly in northern areas vulnerable to Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) and flash floods.

In a briefing, officials said that another significant spell of monsoon rainfall was expected over the next two days in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Gilgit-Baltistan and southern Sindh, while a larger weather system was forecast to affect the country from the second week of September.

The prime minister directed the NDMA to provide timely weather updates and rainfall forecasts to federal and provincial agencies, while Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal was asked to chair daily meetings of the government’s flood committee to monitor developments and coordinate response measures.

The latest briefing highlighted the scale of the damage caused by the ongoing rains. Authorities said 796 houses had been damaged and 376 livestock killed, while rescue, relief and rehabilitation operations continued in affected areas.

Officials from the NDMA, the four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and AJK briefed the meeting on the flood situation and the measures being taken to assist affected communities.

The government’s main concern remains the mountainous north, where officials warned that rising temperatures and accelerated glacier melt could increase the risk of GLOFs and sudden flash floods over the next month. Authorities said vulnerable areas had been identified and precautionary measures were being implemented.

The prime minister said Pakistan continued to suffer the consequences of climate change despite having a small share in global greenhouse gas emissions.

He said the government was pursuing short-term, medium-term and long-term measures to deal with the growing impact of extreme weather.

In Punjab, officials said emergency measures had helped control urban flooding in central areas, including Lahore.

Some agricultural land remained submerged after flooding in seasonal streams, while drainage operations continued. Flood conditions in Dera Ghazi Khan and adjoining areas were described as under control.

The National Highway Authority (NHA) informed the meeting that roads affected by landslides had been reopened at 106 locations following clearance operations.

Officials said the National Emergency and Telecommunication Centre remained operational, allowing emergency calls from mobile phones to be immediately connected with Rescue 1122 teams.

The government also said it had identified around 700 locations where monsoon rainwater could be stored for agricultural use during dry months.

The meeting was attended by senior federal ministers, NDMA Chairman Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik and other government officials.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026