PDMA issues monsoon contingency plan to strengthen preparedness

PESHAWAR, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Jul, 2026) Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Saturday issued the Monsoon Contingency Plan 2026 to enhance preparedness and response to deal with situation during natural disasters and monsoon season.

The plan that has been prepared under KP government's approved Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Policy aims to ensure timely preparedness, effective emergency response, protection of lives and property and coordinated action among all relevant departments and stakeholders.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), KP is expected to receive above normal rainfall during current monsoon season increasing the risk of flash floods, riverine flooding, Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), cloudbursts, landslides, urban flooding and extreme heatwaves. In view of these forecasts, the PDMA has alerted all concerned departments and developed a comprehensive strategy to ensure a swift and effective response to any emergency.

The contingency plan has been formulated in consultation with Pakistan Meteorological Department, Federal and provincial departments, district administrations, Rescue 1122, law enforcement agencies, Irrigation Department, Communication and Works Department, Local Government Department, Health Department, Livestock Department, Forest Department, education Department, Tourism Department, National Highway Authority (NHA), WAPDA, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), humanitarian partners and other stakeholders. It is based on weather forecasts, previous disaster related data, district-level risk assessments and experiences from previous emergencies.

According to details, upper and mountainous districts including Upper Chitral, Lower Chitral, Swat, Upper Dir, Lower Dir, Upper Kohistan, Lower Kohistan, Kolai-Palas, Shangla, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, and Torghar have been identified as highly vulnerable to GLOFs, landslides, cloudbursts, and flash floods.

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Meanwhile, Nowshera, Charsadda, Peshawar, Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Lakki Marwat, and other plain districts are expected to remain at risk of riverine and urban flooding.

The PDMA has directed all concerned departments to strictly implement their Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) while district administrations have been instructed to keep emergency control rooms fully operational, continuously monitor vulnerable areas, ensure timely evacuations, issue public warnings and maintain close coordination among all relevant agencies.

Rescue 1122 has been directed to keep rescue teams, boats, ambulances, and emergency equipment on standby at all times. The health department has been instructed to ensure hospitals, ambulances, medicines and medical personnel remain fully prepared.

Similarly, irrigation department has been tasked with continuous monitoring of embankments, dams, canals and rivers, and Communication and Works Department, National Highway Authority and other construction agencies have been directed to ensure the prompt restoration of roads, bridges, and routes affected by landslides. Local government institutions have been instructed to improve drainage systems, clean water channels and ensure timely removal of rainwater from urban areas.

The PDMA has advised public to avoid unnecessary travel during the monsoon season, refrain from crossing flooded rivers, streams, waterways, exercise extreme caution in mountainous areas vulnerable to landslides and GLOFs, follow official weather advisories and government instructions, keep children away from floodwaters and immediately contact the relevant district administration, Rescue 1122, or the PDMA Helpline (1700) in case of any emergency.