ISLAMABAD (Sapeher Times) Prime Minister’s instructions to remain alert on flood situation

ISLAMABAD (Sapeher Times) While the recent monsoon rains have caused havoc across the country, the political and administrative temperature has also risen in the halls of power in Islamabad. The meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and NDMA Chairman Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik on Saturday may seem like a traditional briefing, but insider news is that it was not just a conversation over a cup of tea, but a very strong and clear message was given to the bureaucracy behind it. Insiders say that the Prime Minister expressed strong displeasure this time over the traditional paperwork, laziness and photo sessions because the complaints coming from remote parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Kashmir are a clear indication of the severe lack of coordination between the federation and the provinces. This was the reason why he ordered the PDMAs to be activated under the NDMA and to directly monitor all rescue operations.
Interestingly, the most important aspect of this meeting was the state-of-the-art screens installed in the National Emergency Operation Center (NEOC) on which live mapping of each district of the country was being shown through artificial intelligence and predictive modeling, which calculates the amount of water released by India and the movement of clouds in seconds and sounds the alarm 72 hours in advance. The inside story is that the Prime Minister was clearly shown through satellite images that in areas like Murree, Swat and Lahore, due to encroachments and administrative negligence of some influential people, the natural channels of the rivers and canals are blocked, which is creating the risk of urban flooding.
Shahbaz Sharif certainly appreciated this use of technology, but at the same time he also asked a poignant question: when our digital system is so advanced, why is action not seen in the field before damage occurs? Sources say that the federation has now taken the final decision to make the distribution of relief funds conditional on the performance of the provinces and the reports of the monitoring cell.
For the first time, the NDMA has also deployed surveillance drones to monitor mountain streams and deliver medicines to people stranded in remote areas, and the chairman has been directed to send a live report of all the affected districts directly to the Prime Minister’s House in the next 48 hours.
It remains to be seen whether this modern system of artificial intelligence and this stern warning of the Prime Minister will wake up the bureaucracy from its nightmare or, as always, this time too, the poor people will be seen drifting helplessly in the flood waters,
Because the truth is that the files are still hot and the inside story is that the next few days may prove to be heavy for the jobs of many senior officers,
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and all related institutions to utilize all available resources to provide immediate relief and assistance to the flood-affected people in view of the ongoing monsoon rains and deteriorating weather conditions in different parts of the country. The Prime Minister issued these instructions during a conversation with NDMA Chairman Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik, who briefed him on the latest weather situation and especially the flood situation caused by the ongoing monsoon rains. Stressing the need for effective and coordinated action in the flood-affected areas, Shahbaz Sharif directed the NDMA to maintain close coordination with the provincial governments and Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs) so that relief activities could reach the affected population without delay. He also appreciated the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and modern technology in the National Emergencies Operation Center (NEOC) and emphasized that technology-based systems play a vital role in monitoring emergencies, assessing risks and improving the government’s response to natural disasters. During the meeting, the NDMA Chairman briefed the Prime Minister about the ongoing relief operations in the flood-affected areas and the steps being taken for the rehabilitation of those displaced or other affected.
Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik informed the Prime Minister that with the support of the federal government, NDMA’s relief activities will continue in the flood-affected areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting took place at a time when the country is still in the grip of monsoon season and the authorities are closely monitoring the weather conditions and the threat of further floods. The Prime Minister’s instructions indicate that the federal government wants to further strengthen the coordination between the national and provincial disaster management agencies during relief and rehabilitation activities. The NDMA has been directed to utilize the available resources effectively, while close cooperation with the provincial agencies will ensure a more coordinated and effective response in the areas affected by heavy rains and floods. The Prime Minister was also briefed about the continuous assessment of the situation by the NDMA and the arrangements made to support the affected population in the coming days. The Prime Minister has ordered the establishment of a new monitoring cell to end the cold war and lack of coordination between the federal and provincial disaster management agencies (PDMAs). The provinces have been told in clear words that politics or laziness will not be tolerated in relief work, and immediate action will be taken against negligent officers.Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and all relevant agencies to utilize all available resources to provide immediate relief and assistance to flood-affected people in view of the ongoing monsoon rains and deteriorating weather conditions in different parts of the country. The Prime Minister issued these instructions while talking to NDMA Chairman Lt. Gen. Inam Haider Malik, who briefed him on the latest weather conditions and especially the flood situation caused by the ongoing monsoon rains. There are deep administrative and political motives behind Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s order to directly monitor rescue and relief operations to the NDMA, which is aimed at breaking the traditional bureaucratic structure of sluggishness. The inside story is that in the past, provincial institutions and district administrations have been criminally delaying relief work during natural disasters by using the excuse of lack of funds or resources, now the federation wants to end this red tape through direct supervision so that aid can be delivered to the victims within seconds without any hindrance. In the current political scenario, where there is a constant cold war between the federal and opposition provincial governments over funds and performance, by entrusting these extensive monitoring powers to the NDMA, the federal government has also played a political trick so that no province can use the national resources sent by the federation for its own political purposes or for rallies, nor can the entire burden of flood disasters be placed on the federation later. At the same time, the artificial intelligence and predictive modeling installed in the National Emergencies Operation Center is now providing the federation with live satellite images of each district, which means that now if the path of rivers and canals is blocked and damaged due to administrative negligence or encroachment of influential people in an area, the NDMA will be authorized to directly arrest the relevant provincial or district officer and demand strict answers from him, which is likely to start a new and tougher era of accountability.The National Emergency Operations Center of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued an alert regarding the expected weather conditions and potential hazards in different parts of the country over the next few days. According to the alert, the current weather conditions are in line with the weather forecast issued by the NEOC 3 to 4 months ago. The NDMA is ensuring advance awareness to all relevant agencies regarding the possible weather conditions and potential hazards. The advance weather forecast is proving helpful for the relevant agencies in dealing with emergencies and ensuring timely preparedness. According to NDMA, during the next 12 to 24 hours, rain with strong winds, wind, hail and thundershowers are likely in the areas of Punjab including Islamabad, Rolpindi, Murree, Attock, Chakol, Tala Gang, Mandi Bahauddin, Sargodha, Gujjar Khan, Gujrat, Jhelum, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Lahore, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Khushab, Jhang, Mianwali, Dera Ghazi Khan, Kasur, Okara, Sahiwal, Multan, Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan, while there is a possibility of flood situation in cities in the Pothohar region including Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The alert includes Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir areas of Gilgit, Skardu, Diamer, Astore, Ghazr, Hunza, Ghanche, Shigar, Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Bagh, Kotli, Poonch, Hattian, Mirpur, and Bhimber. Thunderstorms in Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Kashmir have also been issued an alert regarding the risk of flood/glacial conditions due to the eruption of glacial lakes.
Flooding is expected in the areas of Hunza, Nagar, Ghizer, Skardu, Shigar, Ganche, Astore and Diamer and flash floods and flash floods are also expected in the areas of Upper and Lower Chitral, Swat, Kalam, Bahrain and Arkari. The areas of Upper Dir, Swat, Kohistan and Mansehra have also been declared sensitive to flash floods. Gilgit, Nagar, Ghizer, Skardu, Ganche, Daril and Tangir are among the potentially affected areas. Localized flooding is also possible in Muzaffarabad, Neelum Valley, Bagh and Haveli, while there is a risk of flash floods, landslides and debris flows due to gale force winds. Rapidly melting glaciers and glacial lakes are causing severe flooding in streams coming from mountainous areas, and local streams and rivers are likely to overflow due to the flooding of glacial lakes.

Similarly, the flow of water in rivers and streams originating from the glacier is expected to increase, and there is a risk of damage to highways, link roads and other infrastructure. The NDMA has directed that the local population and tourists should avoid going unnecessarily near glaciers and streams, and take immediate necessary protective measures in case of unusual water flow, muddy water or sounds coming from the glacier. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Swabi, Mardan, Charsadda, Peshawar, Kohat, Parachinar, Karak, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan and Waziristan are also expected to experience thundershowers. In Balochistan, Turbat, Kech, Awaran, Khuzdar and Zhob areas are also expected to experience thundershowers. In Sindh province, Jacobabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Khairpur, Dadu, Ghotki, Kashmore, Shikarpur, Shaheed Benazirabad and Karachi areas are also likely to experience rain with strong winds, gusty winds and thundershowers at a few places. The NDM has directed that residents of rivers and low-lying areas should move valuables and livestock to safe places, ensure cleanliness of drainage systems, drains and sewer lines, and the district administration and relevant agencies are ensuring continuous monitoring of sensitive areas. The alert states that the district administration and rescue agencies should remain alert to deal with emergencies, tourists and travelers should avoid unnecessary travel during heavy rains, continuous monitoring of rains, river flows and sensitive areas should be continued, and in any emergency situation, contact and cooperate with the local administration and rescue agencies immediately. There is also a risk of closure of communication roads due to rain, flooding and landslides. NDMA has issued instructions to the relevant agencies to remain alert on sensitive highways and mountainous areas. Tourists and travelers must check the weather and road conditions before traveling to the northern areas. The public can get the latest weather conditions in real time from NDMA’s official app ‘Pak NDMA Disaster Alert’.Every household should always have an emergency bag ready with drinking water, dry food, first aid box, flashlight and important documents. As soon as you receive a warning of heavy rains or floods, immediately move to higher ground, including your valuables and livestock, and avoid walking or driving in standing water. Do not touch electrical appliances with wet hands and stay away from electric poles or fallen wires in the streets to avoid electrocution. As soon as you feel the tremors of an earthquake, immediately take shelter under a sturdy table and hold on to it, or if you are outside, move to an open area away from buildings and trees. Do not use elevators at all to exit during or after an earthquake and use only stairs. Avoid unnecessary travel to mountainous areas such as Murree, Swat or Gilgit-Baltistan during the monsoon to avoid the risk of landslides. Always use boiled or purified water to avoid epidemics after a disaster. For immediate assistance in any emergency situation, call the rescue service at 1122 or the Disaster Management Authority at 1199.