Shehbaz Sharif Calls for Urgent Construction of Water Reservoirs to Tackle Floods and Climate Change

Narowal – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday emphasized the critical need to build new water reservoirs in Pakistan, calling them essential for reducing the devastating impacts of recurring floods and addressing climate change challenges.

During his visit to flood-hit areas in Narowal, the prime minister was briefed on the situation. He stressed that short-term, medium-term, and long-term strategies must be designed to minimize the damages caused by natural disasters.

“Teamwork is the only way to successfully fight disasters like floods,” he said, noting that Pakistan’s early warning systems had helped reduce losses this year.

Pakistan Among Top 10 Countries Vulnerable to Climate Change

Shehbaz Sharif reminded that Pakistan remains one of the ten countries most at risk from climate change. “After Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, now Punjab is suffering from heavy rains and floods,” he said, expressing grief over the loss of human lives.

The prime minister praised the efforts of federal and provincial governments, the Pakistan Army, NDMA, Rescue 1122, and local administrations for their timely rescue operations. Helicopters and boats were deployed to ensure safe evacuations, he added.

Remembering the 2022 Floods

Recalling the catastrophic floods of 2022, Shehbaz Sharif said Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and South Punjab had faced widespread destruction, with millions of acres of crops lost and billions of dollars in economic damages.

He warned that such disasters will continue to threaten Pakistan in the future unless urgent measures are taken. “Stronger coordination between the federation and provinces is vital,” he said.

Call for Speedy Dam Construction

The prime minister stressed that without increasing water storage capacity, flood management efforts will remain incomplete. He urged for the accelerated construction of Bhasha Dam and Mohmand Dam while also exploring smaller reservoirs in Chiniot and northern areas.

“Large projects take years, but small dams can be built faster. Work should begin immediately,” he said.

Relief for Farmers and Affected Families

Shehbaz Sharif appreciated Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif for announcing financial compensation for farmers who lost crops, along with support for households affected by the floods. He also commended Punjab’s administration, NDMA, and the Army for their relief work, including the safe evacuation of pilgrims from Gurdwara Kartarpur.

Maryam Nawaz highlighted that Narowal was among the worst-hit districts, witnessing monsoon rains of an intensity not seen in four decades. She said more than 1,000 field clinics had been set up, while food and water arrangements were made for livestock.

Call for Declaring Narowal a Disaster-Hit Area

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal urged swift road restoration, enhanced rescue efforts, and the formal declaration of Narowal as a disaster-hit district.

Meanwhile, NDMA Chairman Lt Gen. Inam Haider Malik briefed that heavy rainfall in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK) and Sialkot had caused river flooding. He reported that water flow at Khanki and Qadirabad surged to 1 million cusecs, while eastern rivers including Head Ganda Singh Wala were under severe flood conditions.