Punjab on high alert as CM Maryam unveils sweeping heatwave, flood defence plan

• CM Maryam Nawaz says prevention—not post-disaster relief—is the hallmark of good governance

• Orders province-wide preparedness, warning against complacency amid climate threats

• Modern rescue fleet, embankments, drones and early warning systems deployed across province

• Heatwave response intensified as temperatures in parts of province may soar to 55°C

• Rescue fleet, drones, amphibious boats and emergency warehouses deployed across vulnerable districts

  LAHORE: Punjab has put in place a comprehensive province-wide strategy to tackle the twin threats of an intense heatwave and possible flooding during the ongoing monsoon season, with all relevant departments placed on high alert and district administrations directed to complete advance preparedness measures to minimise risks to human lives, livestock, crops and public infrastructure.

Chairing a high-level meeting to review preparedness for heatwave and flood-related challenges arising from climate change, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz was given a detailed briefing by all concerned departments on preventive arrangements undertaken across the province. In an unusual move during the meeting, the chief minister established a live Zoom link with the entire provincial administration and directly addressed commissioners, deputy commissioners and field officers across Punjab, issuing detailed instructions aimed at ensuring timely preparedness and an effective emergency response.

ممکنہ سیلاب سے نمٹنے کے لیے مريم حکومت کا ایکشن پلان تیار!
مواصلاتی نظام اپ گریڈ ، جدید ترین آلات کی فراہمی
وزیر اعلیٰ پنجاب کی جانب سے تمام محکموں کو سخت ہدایات جاری۔۔
ممکنہ سیلاب سے نمٹنے کے لیے تمام اضلاع کو ارلی وارننگ اور الرٹ سسٹمز ہر وقت فعال رکھنے کی ہدایت دی گئی ہے تاکہ… pic.twitter.com/ujC9CQBLcX

— Government of Punjab (@GovtofPunjabPK) July 9, 2026

Addressing district administrations through the video link, the chief minister stressed that the hallmark of good governance was preventing disasters before they occurred rather than responding after devastation had already taken place.

"It is no achievement to apply balm after a wound has been inflicted; the real governance is to prevent the wound in the first place. There is no wisdom in firefighting after floods arrive. The real work is preparation in advance," she remarked, adding that the provincial government had consistently learned from previous flood experiences and translated those lessons into long-term preventive measures.

"ماضی کے تجربات سے سیکھتے ہوئے اس بار ہم نے قبل از وقت جامع اقدامات اٹھائے ہیں۔ ہر ڈویژن میں جدید ریسکیو بوٹس، لائف جیکٹس، ڈرونز اور ویئر ہاؤسز کا قیام عمل میں لایا جا چکا ہے تاکہ کسی بھی ہنگامی صورتحال میں انسانی جانوں اور مال مویشیوں کا تحفظ یقینی بنایا جا سکے۔" وزیرِ اعلیٰ… pic.twitter.com/ZxLfjEmdli

— Government of Punjab (@GovtofPunjabPK) July 9, 2026

She said the government had accelerated the construction of flood protection infrastructure across vulnerable areas, including new embankments where they were considered essential to safeguard lives and property.

Highlighting ongoing projects, the chief minister said the seven-kilometre-long embankment at Jalalpur Pirwala, an area that had suffered severe flooding in previous years, was nearing completion. The structure, built to a height of 10 feet, would significantly strengthen flood protection for surrounding communities.

Referring to Alipur, another area badly affected by floods in the past, she recalled that members of the entire provincial cabinet had remained in the field throughout the emergency to supervise relief efforts. She said the Chandar Bun embankment had since been completed, permanently eliminating the vulnerable gap that had previously exposed the area to flooding.

The chief minister further said the Noor Raja Bhatta embankment, stretching 12.6 kilometres with a height of 16 feet, had also been completed, while the structural safety of all hydraulic installations under the Irrigation Department had been ensured well before the onset of the monsoon season.

She said irrigation infrastructure damaged during previous floods had been restored in record time, with projects that would ordinarily require two years completed within only four months. At the same time, the province's irrigation monitoring system had been modernised to improve surveillance and facilitate quicker decision-making during emergencies.

Ms Nawaz also disclosed that construction was under way on a new 48-kilometre embankment in the Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) area, which had witnessed widespread inundation during previous floods. She added that all flood-prone localities in Lahore had now been secured through preventive engineering measures.

Expressing the hope that Punjab would never again witness the scale of devastation experienced during previous floods, the chief minister said the government had significantly strengthened disaster preparedness across multiple sectors instead of relying solely on post-disaster relief operations.

"سیلابی صورتحال میں ریسپانس ٹائم کو کم سے کم کرنے کے لیے تمام ضروری آلات اور کشتیاں ہر ڈویژن میں پہلے سے پہنچا دی گئی ہیں۔ ریسکیو 1122 کی تاریخ میں پہلی بار جدید ترین ایکوپمنٹ بشمول ہیوی لفٹنگ ڈرونز، واٹر ریسکیو ڈرونز اور جیٹ سکیز حاصل کیے گئے ہیں۔" وزیر اعلیٰ پنجاب مریم نواز… pic.twitter.com/rpwJ5Uqui2

— Government of Punjab (@GovtofPunjabPK) July 9, 2026

She said the Livestock Department had completed province-wide mapping of livestock populations, vulnerable areas and fodder requirements to ensure timely intervention during any emergency. Comprehensive planning had also been undertaken to safeguard animal health and minimise economic losses for livestock owners.

Recalling the province's previous flood experience, she said no epidemic had broken out among either humans or animals despite the worst floods in Punjab's history because of effective planning and coordinated management by all departments concerned.

She said the government had ensured the availability of clean drinking water, essential medicines, "Clinic on Wheels" services and mobile livestock hospitals in areas vulnerable to flooding. Livestock vaccination campaigns had already been completed before the arrival of the monsoon season, fodder stocks had been pre-positioned in every district and 710 modern vaccine storage units had been established to preserve vaccines under appropriate conditions.

The chief minister said both the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) central control room and district-level control rooms were fully operational and prepared to coordinate emergency operations round the clock. In the event of any disaster, she said, the entire provincial administration would respond collectively under a "whole-of-government" approach to ensure timely relief and rescue.

She said an integrated coordination mechanism had been established across all districts to strengthen communication among departments and improve operational efficiency during emergencies.

Warning officials against complacency, Ms Nawaz said even a brief delay in responding to an emergency could result in the loss of precious human lives. She made it clear that negligence or unnecessary delays would not be tolerated and instructed deputy commissioners and field officers to remain fully in control of the situation at all times.

She directed district administrations to activate emergency response mechanisms immediately whenever rainfall forecasts or weather alerts were issued instead of waiting for floodwaters to arrive.

The chief minister also instructed the secretary for primary healthcare to further strengthen monitoring and oversight mechanisms across districts, while directing all departments concerned to remain fully prepared for every possible scenario during the monsoon and heatwave season.

Referring to a recent briefing by the Prime Minister's team and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), she said Punjab was expected to receive below-normal rainfall this year while simultaneously experiencing a prolonged heatwave.

"اگلے تین مہینوں میں درجہ حرارت معمول سے کہیں زیادہ رہنے کا امکان ہے۔ جنوبی اور وسطی پنجاب کے بعض علاقوں میں درجہ حرارت 52 سے 55 ڈگری تک جانے کا سنگین خدشہ ہے۔ شمالی پنجاب بالخصوص پوٹھوہار بیلٹ اور پنڈی ڈویژن میں کلاؤڈ برسٹ کے باعث اربن پونڈنگ اور فلیش فلڈنگ کا خطرہ موجود ہے۔"… pic.twitter.com/uklY8IXQ1r

— Government of Punjab (@GovtofPunjabPK) July 9, 2026

According to the forecast, temperatures in southern and central Punjab could rise to between 52 and 55 degrees Celsius, while northern Punjab, Potohar and Rawalpindi Division might experience localised heavy rainfall and cloudburst incidents capable of triggering urban flooding. Reduced rainfall, she added, could also negatively affect the ongoing kharif crop.

She appreciated the preparedness demonstrated by the Pakistan Meteorological Department, Housing Department, Agriculture Department, Livestock Department, Rescue 1122, PDMA, Health Department and the Irrigation Department, directing all departments to continue issuing timely public advisories and awareness messages throughout the monsoon season.

Punjab Ramps Up Heatwave, Flood Response

The Punjab CM said comprehensive flood response plans had already been enforced throughout Punjab and directed all district administrations to continue the mock exercises initiated on May 25 to test emergency preparedness and strengthen coordination among departments. She also instructed Rescue 1122 to continue simulation exercises covering urban flooding, heatwave emergencies and flood rescue operations so that response teams remained fully prepared for every eventuality.

She said the lessons learned from Punjab's worst flood disasters had now been fully incorporated into the province's disaster management strategy, observing that unlike previous years when preventive measures were often initiated after disasters had already struck, the government had completed most of its preparedness arrangements well before the arrival of the monsoon season.

The chief minister directed the Pakistan Meteorological Department and the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) to keep the province's early warning system fully operational at all times so that both government agencies and the public could receive timely alerts and sufficient reaction time before any emergency developed.

Recalling her own experience during previous flood rescue operations, she said she had personally witnessed the enormous challenges faced by rescue workers in inundated areas. She recalled that during one rescue mission the engine of her boat had become clogged with flood debris, bringing the vessel to a halt, while communication equipment had also failed under difficult conditions.

She said rescue teams had then been compelled to evacuate only five or six people at a time while numerous residents and livestock remained stranded in floodwaters, underscoring the urgent need for better equipment and improved emergency preparedness.

Learning from that experience, she said, the provincial government had procured large wooden rescue barges capable of transporting livestock, tractors and heavy equipment to safer locations during emergencies. Such barges had already been deployed in every flood-prone district across Punjab.

"ہم نے 'اپنی چھت، اپنا گھر' پروگرام کے تحت ایک نئی اسکیم لانچ کی ہے۔ پنجاب بھر کے شہری اپنے گھر کی دیواروں اور چھتوں کو مضبوط بنانے کے لیے 10 لاکھ روپے تک کا بلا سود قرض حاصل کر سکتے ہیں۔" وزیرِ اعلیٰ پنجاب مریم نواز شریف نے 'اپنا گھر، محفوظ گھر' اسکیم کا آغاز کر دیا۔… pic.twitter.com/BclxdooiwY

— Government of Punjab (@GovtofPunjabPK) July 9, 2026

The chief minister said all districts would receive the remaining disaster response equipment by the end of July, further strengthening the province's emergency management capacity. She added that 14 state-of-the-art divisional warehouses had been established and stocked with emergency supplies, including additional tents, life jackets, advanced flood boats, jet skis and specially designed engines capable of operating effectively even in waters filled with floating debris.

She said Rescue 1122 had also been equipped with modern drone technology to improve flood monitoring and rescue operations. Night-vision drones, she noted, had proved particularly effective during previous rescue missions by enabling emergency teams to locate and evacuate stranded people and livestock after sunset when visibility was severely restricted.

Deputy commissioners were instructed to continue conducting regular mock exercises and ensure the fastest possible emergency response whenever required. The chief minister said arrangements had already been completed for relocating affected populations, with trucks stationed at divisional headquarters to facilitate the rapid deployment of rescue boats and emergency equipment to disaster-hit areas.

She further said the government had procured new walkie-talkies to strengthen communication networks while substantially upgrading the province's rapid response system. Punjab now possessed an extensive fleet comprising speedboats, flood boats, jet skis, inflatable boats and Sealegs amphibious boats capable of operating both on land and in water. Additional landing craft and Sealegs vessels were expected to arrive later this month, further enhancing the province's disaster response capabilities.

The chief minister said portable toilets, tents, mosquito nets, transport facilities, food hampers and livestock fodder had already been pre-positioned at vulnerable locations to ensure immediate assistance to affected communities whenever needed.

Turning to heatwave preparedness, Ms Nawaz said the provincial government had ensured complete readiness to deal with prolonged periods of extreme temperatures while simultaneously launching public awareness campaigns to educate citizens on precautionary measures.

She identified Dera Ghazi Khan, Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar and Rajanpur as the five districts facing the highest heat-related risks and said special arrangements had been made in these areas to minimise the impact of soaring temperatures.

Water bowsers, filtration units, "Clinic on Wheels" services and first-aid camps had already been deployed in vulnerable districts, while the Livestock Department had established vaccination camps to safeguard animals from disease outbreaks during the extreme weather.

"ماضی میں 2، 2 سال تک لٹکنے والے اریگیشن اسٹرکچرز کی بحالی اور مرمت کا کام ریکارڈ 4 ماہ کے اندر مکمل کیا گیا ہے۔ پانی کے بہاؤ کی بروقت اور مؤثر مانیٹرنگ کے لیے محکمہ انہار کی جانب سے حساس مقامات پر مانیٹرنگ کیمپس قائم کیئے جا رہے ہیں۔" وزیراعلیٰ پنجاب نے ممکنہ سیلاب سے نمٹنے کے… pic.twitter.com/2KYVwdwZqU

— Government of Punjab (@GovtofPunjabPK) July 9, 2026

She said Rescue 1122 vehicles and smog guns, which had recently been used to facilitate mourners during Muharram, had now been redeployed to heatwave hotspots for water spraying to help reduce temperatures. Rescue teams were also supplying clean drinking water directly to communities lacking access to safe water sources.

Temporary ponds had been created in Cholistan and other desert regions to provide relief to livestock during the prolonged heatwave, while the chief minister urged citizens to avoid unnecessary outdoor movement during peak daytime temperatures, cover their necks, use umbrellas, drink sufficient water and pay special attention to the health and safety of children and elderly family members.

Referring to the recent collapse of a tuition centre roof in Kahna, she expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of lives and urged parents not to send their children to unsafe buildings or leave them unattended in hazardous conditions.

Highlighting another preventive initiative, the chief minister referred to the Punjab government's newly launched "Apna Ghar Mehfooz Ghar" scheme under which eligible families could obtain loans of up to Rs1 million to strengthen their homes against natural disasters. She said the Punjab government would bear the entire markup on the loans, while repayment would be spread over five to seven years, enabling vulnerable households to reinforce weak roofs and walls without financial burden.

She added that permanent solutions were also being implemented to tackle urban waterlogging resulting from cloudbursts. Extensive desilting of drains, nullahs and water bodies was under way across Punjab, while district administrations had been instructed to complete the work comprehensively to minimise the risk of urban flooding during heavy rains.

"سیلابی ریلوں کی آمد کے پیشِ نظر نشیبی اور دریاؤں کے قریبی علاقوں سے لوگوں کے بروقت انخلا، شہروں میں نکاسی آب، سیلاب سے متاثرہ علاقوں میں سانپ کے کاٹنے کی ویکسین سمیت دیگر ضروری طبی سامان کی فوری دستیابی یقینی بنائی جائے گی۔ ٹیم ماشااللہ بہت اچھا کام کر رہی ہے۔" وزیرِ اعلیٰ پنجاب… pic.twitter.com/XARzmCTRWD

— Government of Punjab (@GovtofPunjabPK) July 9, 2026

The chief minister said rainwater that previously remained accumulated on roads and streets for as long as 48 hours was now being cleared within two to two-and-a-half hours because of improved machinery, better planning and enhanced response capacity.

She further said that the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), once confined to only a few major cities, had now expanded its operations across Punjab and had been equipped with modern machinery, including suction units, trolleys, tractors, desilting machines and water bowsers. Every district, she added, now possessed modern sanitation fleets under the "Suthra Punjab" initiative, noting that she had personally inspected preparedness arrangements during her field visits.

CM hails Madar-i-Millat as enduring symbol of courage and democracy

Meanwhile, Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz on Thursday paid glowing tribute to Madar-i-Millat Fatima Jinnah on the occasion of her 59th death anniversary, describing her as an enduring symbol of courage, sacrifice and democratic values whose life continues to inspire generations of Pakistanis.

In a special message, the chief minister commended Fatima Jinnah's unwavering devotion to Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and praised her remarkable spirit of selfless service and sacrifice for the nation. She prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and for her elevated ranks in the hereafter.

Ms Nawaz said Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah remained a role model for every sister and daughter of Pakistan, adding that her steadfastness in the face of adversity continued to serve as a beacon of guidance for the nation.