Punjab has finalized a comprehensive province-wide strategy to tackle the twin threats of an intense heatwave and possible monsoon flooding. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif directed all departments and district administrations to shift their focus from disaster response to disaster prevention.
Chief Minister Emphasizes Prevention Over Response
Chairing a high-level meeting to review climate-related preparedness, the chief minister said effective governance was measured by preventing disasters before they occurred rather than merely responding after lives and property had already been lost. During the meeting, she unexpectedly connected with commissioners, deputy commissioners and field officers across Punjab through a Zoom link to personally monitor preparedness and issue instructions.
“It is no achievement to apply balm after a wound has been inflicted; real governance lies in preventing the wound in the first place,” she said. “There is no wisdom in firefighting after floods arrive. The real work is preparation in advance.”
Infrastructure Projects and Embankments
Maryam Nawaz said the provincial government had incorporated lessons learnt from previous devastating floods into a comprehensive preparedness plan. She directed all deputy commissioners to remain on high alert and ensure an immediate response whenever rainfall forecasts were issued, warning that even a moment’s delay could cost precious human lives.
The chief minister said the seven-kilometre Jalalpur Pirwala flood protection embankment, built to safeguard an area repeatedly affected by flooding, was nearing completion, while the Chandar Bun embankment at Alipur and the 12.6-kilometre Noor Raja Bhatta embankment had already been completed. She added that a new 48-kilometre protective embankment was also under construction in the Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) area to protect Lahore from future flooding.
She said all flood-damaged irrigation infrastructure had been restored in record time, with projects that normally required two years completed within four months. The irrigation monitoring system had also been modernised and the safety of hydraulic structures ensured before the arrival of the monsoon.
Weather Forecast and Heatwave Risks
Referring to weather forecasts presented by the Prime Minister’s team and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the chief minister said Punjab was expected to receive below-normal rainfall this year while facing a prolonged heatwave. Temperatures in southern and central Punjab could rise to between 52 and 55 degrees Celsius, while northern Punjab, the Potohar region and Rawalpindi Division could experience cloudbursts and localised urban flooding.
Calling climate change an undeniable reality, Maryam Nawaz noted that extreme weather events were becoming more frequent worldwide, citing recent heatwave-related deaths in Europe as a reminder of the growing global challenge.
Emergency Response and Equipment
She said comprehensive flood plans had already been enforced across Punjab, while mock exercises initiated on May 25 would continue in all districts. Rescue 1122 was directed to regularly conduct simulation exercises for flood emergencies, urban flooding and heatwave response.
The chief minister said the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) central control room and district control rooms were fully operational under a “whole-of-government” emergency response mechanism. Fourteen modern divisional warehouses had been established with emergency supplies, including tents, life jackets, flood boats, jet skis, night-vision drones and engines capable of operating in debris-filled waters.
She said Rescue 1122 had also been equipped with advanced rescue drones, while new communication systems, speedboats, amphibious Sealegs rescue boats and inflatable boats had significantly strengthened the province’s disaster response capacity. Large wooden rescue barges capable of transporting livestock and tractors had been deployed in flood-prone districts following difficulties encountered during previous rescue operations.
Officials informed the meeting that all districts would receive additional disaster response equipment by the end of July, while trucks carrying rescue boats had already been stationed at divisional headquarters for rapid deployment.
Livestock Protection and Health Measures
The chief minister said the Livestock Department had completed mapping of livestock populations, vulnerable areas and fodder requirements before the monsoon season. Vaccination campaigns had been completed, 710 modern vaccine storage units established and mobile livestock hospitals positioned in vulnerable districts.
She noted that no epidemic had broken out among humans or animals during the province’s worst floods because of timely provision of clean drinking water, medicines, Clinics on Wheels, sanitation services and veterinary facilities.
Heatwave Response and Public Advisory
Regarding the heatwave, Maryam Nawaz identified Dera Ghazi Khan, Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar and Rajanpur as the districts facing the highest temperature risks. She said water bowsers, filtration units, first-aid camps and Clinics on Wheels had been deployed, while Rescue 1122 teams were supplying drinking water to communities lacking safe water. Temporary ponds had also been created in Cholistan and desert areas to protect livestock.
The chief minister urged citizens to avoid unnecessary outdoor movement during peak heat hours, drink plenty of water, cover their heads and take special care of children, elderly people and livestock. She also referred to the recent tuition centre roof collapse in Kahna, urging parents not to send children to unsafe buildings.
New Schemes and Urban Flooding Measures
Highlighting the government’s newly launched “Apna Ghar Mehfooz Ghar” scheme, she said families could obtain interest-free loans of up to Rs1 million to strengthen vulnerable houses, with the Punjab government bearing the entire markup.
Maryam Nawaz added that large-scale desilting of drains and waterways had been completed across Punjab to minimise urban flooding. Improved machinery had reduced the time required to clear rainwater from up to 48 hours in the past to just two to two-and-a-half hours. She said WASA services had now been expanded to every district, while modern sanitation fleets under the “Suthra Punjab” initiative had further enhanced the province’s capacity to deal with heavy rainfall and urban flooding.
