Punjab intensifies flood preparedness, orders crackdown on encroachments along riverbeds

LAHORE, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Jul, 2026) Punjab Health Minister and Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Disaster Management, Khawaja Salman Rafique, on Saturday directed authorities to launch an operation against encroachments in riverbeds and river valleys as the provincial government stepped up preparations to tackle the ongoing monsoon season and potential flooding.

Chairing a meeting at the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Headquarters, the minister reviewed flood preparedness measures, heatwave response, and disaster management plans across the province.

He said the Punjab government, under the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, was taking comprehensive steps to make the province more resilient to floods. He added that Rescue 1122 had been equipped with modern equipment worth billions of rupees to enhance emergency response capabilities.

Salman Rafique said PDMA Punjab was utilizing all available resources to address the challenges posed by heatwaves and drought. He also highlighted ongoing efforts to improve water supply infrastructure in the remote areas of Cholistan.

PDMA Director General Umar Javed informed the meeting that all necessary arrangements had been completed to cope with heatwave conditions and possible flood emergencies on the directives of the chief minister.

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He said pre-disaster and post-disaster response mechanisms had been strengthened to minimize the impact of floods and other water-related hazards.

The meeting reviewed 11 flood protection schemes aimed at preventing river erosion and safeguarding local communities and agricultural land in vulnerable districts. The projects include emergency protective works along the Jhelum, Ravi, Indus, Bhindranala and Ben Nallah rivers, with individual schemes ranging from Rs 62 million to Rs 155.5 million.

Participants also reviewed the updated notification of floodplain boundaries based on Flood 2025, while the Flood Hazard Atlas for vulnerable districts prepared by the Urban Unit was examined. The Commissioner Multan briefed the meeting on relief operations, identified weaknesses, and presented a future action plan based on the experience of the 2025 floods in Multan Division.

The meeting was attended by Senior Member board of Revenue Nabil Javed and other senior officials. Commissioners of Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, Gujrat and Gujranwala, along with deputy commissioners of Multan, Sialkot, Gujrat, Layyah and Narowal, participated through video link.