ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday directed federal and provincial authorities to make adequate preparations for a heavy spell of monsoon rains expected later this month, an official statement circulated by his office said.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) issued a weather outlook last week wherein it forecast “above normal” monsoon rains in Pakistan’s Punjab and Sindh provinces.
Downpour is also expected in the remaining parts of the country.
The PMD also warned of flash floods in mountainous regions while forecasting urban flooding in major cities of Sindh, Punjab, Azad Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces during the monsoon season.
“Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has issued directives for immediate steps to be taken on the forecast of above normal rainfall in the last week of June,” the Prime Minister Office said.
Sharif also directed relevant ministries and departments to take precautionary measures, particularly in low-lying areas and places prone to heavy rainfall.
“The prime minister has directed federal and provincial governments to formulate a joint comprehensive strategy,” the statement continued, adding the premier had also tasked the authorities to take steps to protect crops and livestock from the effects of heavy rainfall.
“Residents of endangered areas should be warned in time and their evacuation to safer places must be ensured,” he said.
The prime minister also ordered the authorities to ensure that all drains and waterways were cleaned ahead of the monsoon season.
