ISLAMABAD: Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal on Sunday ordered an audit of flood mitigation projects undertaken in the aftermath of last year’s monsoon disasters, directing officials to present a detailed report at the next meeting of the monsoon response committee. The minister issued the directive while chairing a meeting of the Emergency Response Committee, constituted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif earlier this month to oversee national preparedness and response measures during the 2026 monsoon season. The meeting held via video link reviewed preparedness measures taken by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), provincial disaster management authorities and assessed the overall flood situation across the country. The minister directed the NDMA and other relevant departments to remain on standby for possible monsoon-related challenges and ensure the availability of relief supplies, evacuation plans, emergency communication systems and coordination mechanisms among relevant agencies. Officials informed the committee that the river flood situation remained normal, with water flows in major rivers within safe limits despite the ongoing monsoon spell. They said weather systems, river flows and vulnerable areas were being continuously monitored to ensure timely warnings and prompt action in case of any emerging threat. The meeting stressed the role of district and local administrations in strengthening disaster preparedness and ensuring that early warnings reached vulnerable communities through all available channels. The NDMA informed the committee that its daily situation reports, based on updates received from provinces and regions, recorded 97 deaths and 297 injuries in rain-related incidents between June 26 and July 25. The collapse of houses, roofs and walls remained the leading cause of fatalities, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reporting the highest number of casualties, followed by Punjab. The authority said 130 rescue operations had been carried out during the period, resulting in the evacuation of 3, 841 people to safer locations. It added that 219 tonnes of relief items had been coordinated and delivered through the NDMA, provincial disaster management authorities and partner organisations. The committee directed all relevant departments to maintain close coordination throughout the monsoon season to ensure timely response and minimise risks to lives, livelihoods and infrastructure. The meeting was also attended by Climate Change Minister Musadik Malik, National Food Security Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain, Information Technology Minister Shaza Fatima, NDMA Chairman Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik and representatives of federal and provincial departments. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
Ahsan orders audit of flood mitigation projects
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