KP CM orders province-wide monsoon preparedness, risk mitigation steps

PESHAWAR: Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mohammad Sohail Afridi has directed all relevant departments to complete broad advance preparations ahead of the monsoon season, saying timely and effective action can help protect lives, public property and key infrastructure from major damage.

Chairing a high-level meeting on the Monsoon Contingency Plan, the chief minister ordered the timely release of all required funds and warned that negligence or lethargy would not be tolerated. The meeting reviewed provincial and district-level arrangements to respond to possible monsoon rains, flooding and natural disasters across the province.

Officials from the Provincial Disaster Management Authority, Irrigation Department, Rescue 1122, Health Department, Education Department, Communications and Works Department, Local Government Department, Forests Department, Tourism Department and other relevant agencies attended the session and gave detailed briefings on pre-monsoon measures.

Emergency centres and preparedness deadlines

The meeting decided that District Emergency Operation Centres in all districts would be fully activated, with round-the-clock duty rosters put in place to ensure immediate and coordinated responses in any emergency.

Afridi directed authorities to complete vulnerability mapping of sensitive areas, training on Standard Operating Procedures and mock exercises by June 15. Officials told the meeting that daily monitoring of glacial lakes, rivers and rainfall is already under way.

A special campaign is also being carried out across the province to clean drains, stormwater channels, culverts and sewerage lines. According to the briefing, 4,099 of 4,802 drains have been cleared, while about 598 kilometres out of more than 635 kilometres of drainage lines have been cleaned. The chief minister ordered the remaining work to be completed by May 30.

Flood protection and rescue arrangements

The chief minister instructed the Irrigation Department to speed up flood protection works, ensure the telemetry system remains functional and intensify anti-encroachment operations. Officials informed the meeting that 524 of 794 encroachments had been removed before the monsoon season, while action against the remaining encroachments was continuing.

Rescue 1122 officials said the Monsoon Contingency Plan had been finalised and that water rescue points were being established in different districts. Afridi ordered departments to confirm the availability and working condition of rescue equipment, boats, water pumps and other essential supplies by June 15.

Medical and relief supplies

The chief minister also directed the Health Department to ensure sufficient stocks of medicines, IV fluids, anti-snake venom, ORS and other emergency medical supplies. The meeting decided that emergency stocks of tents, non-food items, medicines and other relief goods would be positioned in advance.

Afridi instructed the PDMA to ensure delivery of all required non-food items before June 15, along with continuous assessment of family tents, kitchen sets, hygiene kits, blankets and other relief materials. He also directed that funds be allocated on a priority basis according to district needs and the vulnerability index.

The meeting focused on ensuring that departments complete pending work within the set deadlines as the province prepares for the coming monsoon season.