PM Stresses Urgent Need for Constructing Water Reservoirs to Tackle Flood Challenges

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday underscored the urgent need for constructing new water reservoirs, terming it essential to deal with recurring flood situations and climate change challenges. He said short-, medium- and long-term policies must be formulated to mitigate the impact of natural disasters. The prime minister expressed these views while receiving a briefing during his visit to the flood-affected areas of Narowal. He stressed that teamwork was key to combating disasters like floods, adding that the early warning system had significantly minimized losses. He reminded that Pakistan is among the ten countries most vulnerable to climate change, and institutions responsible for rescue and disaster management must be further strengthened. The premier said that after Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab is now facing heavy rains and floods. Expressing sorrow over the loss of lives, he lauded the role of federal ministers, the Pakistan Army, civil administration, NDMA, Rescue 1122, Narowal s political leadership, and other institutions for their timely efforts. He noted that helicopters and boats had been arranged to aid rescue operations. Recalling the devastation of 2022, the Prime Minister said Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and South Punjab had faced massive destruction, with millions of acres of crops destroyed and the economy suffering billions of dollars in losses. He warned that such climate-related challenges would persist in the future, stressing the importance of coordinated efforts between the federation, provinces, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan. Highlighting the importance of water storage, Shehbaz Sharif said without increasing storage capacity, all other efforts would remain incomplete. He called for the speedy construction of Bhasha and Mohmand Dams and stressed exploring water storage options in Chiniot and northern areas through small dams. He said major projects would take years to complete, urging immediate initiation of work. The Prime Minister also welcomed Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif s announcement of immediate compensation for farmers who lost their crops and assured relief for households affected by the floods. He praised the Punjab government, NDMA, and the Pakistan Army for their relief efforts, including the safe evacuation of pilgrims from Gurdwara Kartarpur despite difficult weather conditions. Speaking on the occasion, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said Narowal was among the worst-hit areas, with monsoon rains of such duration not seen in the past 40 years. She said Punjab s administration and rescue agencies acted promptly, with over 1,000 field clinics set up and arrangements made for livestock feed and water. She stressed the importance of building infrastructure to manage and store water. Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal called for faster and better-coordinated rescue and relief efforts, immediate restoration of roads, and declaring Narowal a disaster-hit area. NDMA Chairman Lt. Gen. Inam Haider Malik briefed the Prime Minister that extraordinary rainfall in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir and Sialkot region had caused flooding in rivers, with a surge of one million cusecs recorded at Khanki and Qadirabad. He said while western rivers were flowing normally, eastern rivers were facing flood conditions with heavy flow at Head Ganda Singh Wala. Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar and other senior officials were also present during the visit.