The Emergency Response Committee (ERC), chaired by Federal Minister for Planning and Special Initiatives Prof Dr Ahsan Iqbal, on Tuesday reviewed the country’s monsoon situation and national preparedness at the National Emergencies Operations Centre (NEOC) in Islamabad.
17th ERC meeting orders tighter monsoon readiness
ISLAMABAD, Sep 01 (APP):The Emergency Response Committee (ERC), chaired by Federal Minister for Planning and Special Initiatives Prof Dr Ahsan Iqbal, on Tuesday reviewed the country’s monsoon situation and national preparedness at the National Emergencies Operations Centre (NEOC) in Islamabad.
The committee directed federal and provincial authorities to maintain close coordination, strengthen early warning systems and keep rescue and relief resources ready as rain is expected to continue in northern areas and could trigger urban and flash flooding in vulnerable districts until Sept 4.
The 17th ERC meeting was convened by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on the directions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to oversee preparedness and coordinated emergency response during the 2026 monsoon season.
Federal Minister for Water Resources Mian Muhammad Mueen Wattoo, NDMA Chairman Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik, representatives of Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs), the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), relevant federal ministries and senior officials attended the meeting.
The committee reviewed prevailing weather and hydrological conditions, the latest weather outlook, river flows, vulnerable locations and preparedness measures.
The NEOC gave a detailed briefing on the evolving weather system and its likely impacts, including the potential for urban flooding, localised flash floods and water accumulation in low lying areas.
According to the briefing, the weather system is expected to affect the Potohar region, adjoining catchment areas of the Chenab and Jhelum rivers and parts of northeastern Punjab.
The northern parts of the country are likely to remain under the influence of the rain bearing system until Sept 4, with intermittent rainfall potentially triggering localised weather related emergencies in vulnerable districts.
The Rawalpindi district administration briefed the committee on the situation around Nullah Lai, saying relevant departments had been placed on high alert and arrangements had been made for the safe evacuation of residents with the assistance of Civil Defence, police and Rescue 1122 personnel.
Emergency responders had been deployed around Nullah Lai, while traffic flow was being maintained on major roads, the meeting was told.
Provincial authorities briefed the committee on preparedness measures, availability of rescue resources, emergency stocks, evacuation plans and coordination with district administrations.
Federal and provincial departments and response agencies also updated the committee on the prevailing flood situation, ongoing rescue and relief operations, deployment of resources and measures being taken in vulnerable areas.
The meeting placed particular emphasis on uninterrupted communication, timely dissemination of early warnings, prepositioning of relief supplies and maintaining the operational readiness of emergency response agencies.
Prof Ahsan Iqbal directed all relevant departments and response agencies to maintain close coordination and ensure timely implementation of preparedness and response measures.
The committee also stressed the need for proactive action at the district level to minimise risks and protect vulnerable communities as the monsoon spell continues.
