The Emergency Response Committee, constituted on the directions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to oversee national preparedness and coordinated response during Monsoon 2026, on Friday directed all federal and provincial stakeholders to maintain a high state of operational readiness as it reviewed monsoon preparedness, emergency response plans and inter agency coordination at the National Emergencies Operation Centre of the National Disaster Management Authority Headquarters in Islamabad.
ERC orders high alert as monsoon risks intensify
ISLAMABAD, Jul 17 (APP): The Emergency Response Committee, constituted on the directions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to oversee national preparedness and coordinated response during Monsoon 2026, on Friday directed all federal and provincial stakeholders to maintain a high state of operational readiness as it reviewed monsoon preparedness, emergency response plans and inter agency coordination at the National Emergencies Operation Centre of the National Disaster Management Authority Headquarters in Islamabad.
The Committee’s third meeting was chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal and attended by Chairman NDMA Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik, HI(M), senior NDMA officials, representatives of federal ministries, departments and other key stakeholders.
The Committee undertook a comprehensive review of preparedness measures put in place across the country.
It assessed contingency plans, deployment of emergency response resources, coordination with district administrations, public awareness initiatives and arrangements for timely response to emerging emergencies during the monsoon season.
The status of relief supplies, emergency communication mechanisms, evacuation plans and inter agency coordination was also reviewed to ensure swift and effective response capabilities.
Chairman NDMA Inam Haider briefed the participants on the round the clock operational activities of the National Emergencies Operation Centre.
Haider informed the Committee that the Centre continues to monitor weather developments through its integrated multi hazard monitoring system and is issuing timely impact based forecasts, advisories and early warnings to all stakeholders.
The Committee directed all concerned departments to remain on high alert throughout the monsoon season.
It laid particular emphasis on strengthening institutional coordination, ensuring uninterrupted communication among response agencies, protecting vulnerable communities and critical infrastructure, and maintaining the operational readiness of rescue and relief resources.
Preparedness and contingency plans presented by the Ministry of Communications, Ministry of Power and WAPDA also came under review during the meeting.
Addressing the participants, Professor Ahsan Iqbal underscored the need for seamless coordination among all response agencies to enable timely decision making and rapid mobilization of resources whenever required.
The meeting reaffirmed the Emergency Response Committee’s commitment to strengthening national coordination and ensuring a unified response mechanism to safeguard lives, livelihoods and critical infrastructure throughout Monsoon 2026.
