Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Approves Comprehensive Flood Preparedness Plan
Flood preparedness plan is covered in the report below.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formally endorsed a comprehensive five-year strategy aimed at enhancing Pakistan's flood management systems. This decision was announced during a press conferenc
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formally endorsed a comprehensive five-year strategy aimed at enhancing Pakistan's flood management systems. This decision was announced during a press conference by Climate Minister Musadik Malik on November 19, 2025, where he highlighted the country's urgent need to address the consequences of climate change-induced flooding.
Flood preparedness plan: Overview of the Five-Year Plan
The newly approved strategy consists of a three-phase approach to flood management, which focuses on fixing, expanding, and rebuilding critical infrastructure. Minister Malik emphasized the catastrophic impact of the 2022 floods, which resulted in losses equivalent to 9% of Pakistan's GDP, over 4,500 fatalities, and the displacement of approximately 40 million people. This year alone has seen 3.1 million individuals lose their homes due to flooding.
Malik stated, "If similar floods occur next year, we must be ready." He outlined a 250-day monsoon plan to address immediate challenges, beginning with the repair of damaged infrastructure such as dykes and flood gates. The plan aims for completion before the upcoming monsoon season.
Immediate Action and Short-Term Plans
In a follow-up meeting chaired by PM Shehbaz, it was decided that early warning systems would be integrated at the district and tehsil levels. Local authorities, including Assistants Commissioners and District Commissioners, will be responsible for monitoring incoming data to ensure that vulnerable areas receive timely alerts. Minister Malik added that temporary schools and mobile healthcare units would be established in flood-impacted regions to minimize disruption to education and healthcare services.
Medium and Long-Term Strategies
The five-year strategy encompasses both medium- and long-term goals. The medium-term plan focuses on expanding the existing drainage and flood management systems over the next three years. In contrast, the long-term vision aims to create climate-resilient infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather events, as emphasized during the meeting.
Malik reiterated that prioritizing flood prevention and reducing loss of life should be at the forefront of policy decisions. The meeting also addressed various types of flooding, including river floods, flash floods, and coastal erosion, underlining the need for a comprehensive response.
Government Coordination and Planning
PM Shehbaz directed relevant authorities to ensure preparedness ahead of next year's monsoon and to implement the short-term plan. He called for coordinated efforts between the Ministry of Climate Change, the Ministry of Planning, and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to develop integrated climate change strategies. Additionally, the Prime Minister requested the convening of the National Water Council to facilitate national-level water management planning.
Addressing the economic challenges, PM Shehbaz noted, "Being a developing country, Pakistan has to allocate a significant portion of its GDP to combat the negative impacts of climate change, funds that could otherwise support developmental projects."
Forecast for the 2026 Monsoon Season
Meanwhile, NDMA Chairman Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik has warned that the 2026 monsoon season is expected to bring rainfall 22% to 26% above normal levels. He stressed the necessity for immediate preparations to mitigate potential losses, highlighting the heightened frequency of extreme weather events.
Addressing the press, he reflected on the relocation of 3.1 million individuals to safer areas during this year's monsoon and underscored the joint responsibility of both federal and provincial governments in disaster management. Recommendations for regulating river flows have already been prepared to enhance future response efforts.
Lt Gen Malik also noted that tourism activities, particularly in northern regions, may be restricted during the months of June and July to safeguard against potential losses. He affirmed the importance of the early warning system, which can provide alerts six to eight months in advance, allowing provincial authorities to implement effective precautionary measures.
