PDMA chief reviews Gujrat flood preparedness as Punjab braces for monsoon

The Punjab government on Monday intensified its monsoon preparedness in Gujrat as Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA)

GUJRAT: The Punjab government on Monday intensified its monsoon preparedness in Gujrat as Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Director General Umar Javed visited the district to review flood management arrangements, while Punjab Housing Secretary Noor-ul-Amin Mengal separately inspected development projects and drainage measures aimed at reducing the risk of urban flooding.
The high-level visits, carried out on the directions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, focused on assessing the district’s readiness to respond to heavy rainfall and any possible flood situation during the ongoing monsoon season.
Chairing a meeting at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, PDMA Director General Umar Javed was briefed by Deputy Commissioner Noor-ul-Ain Qureshi on the district’s flood contingency plan, emergency response mechanism and measures taken to minimise the impact of heavy rains.
Officials from the Irrigation Department, Rescue 1122, WASA, Local Government, Housing and Urban Development Department, Livestock Department and other relevant agencies informed the meeting about their operational preparedness, availability of machinery, emergency staff deployment and coordination plans.
The district administration said desilting of major drains and sewerage channels had been accelerated ahead of the peak monsoon spell, while disposal stations at Madina and Kutchery had been made operational to ensure uninterrupted drainage in low-lying urban areas. Authorities also reviewed the availability of pumps, heavy machinery and emergency equipment to deal with any rainfall-related emergency.
The Irrigation Department briefed the meeting on the water situation in the Chenab River, the condition of protective embankments and flood regulation arrangements. Officials said surveillance had been enhanced at vulnerable riverine locations, including Shahbazpur, Kot Ghulam, Majra Pali, Mahsam and Kathala Chenab, where precautionary measures were being implemented to prevent breaches and minimise potential damage.
Preparedness in the river belt of Jalalpur Jattan, Sara-e-Alamgir and Kharian also came under review, with officials directed to ensure uninterrupted coordination among all departments in case water levels rise.
Addressing the meeting, Umar Javed instructed all departments to remain on high alert throughout the monsoon season and ensure that emergency response plans remained fully functional. He said the protection of human lives and property would remain the government’s top priority and directed officials to maintain close coordination for a timely response to any emergency.
In a separate visit, Punjab Housing Secretary Noor-ul-Amin Mengal inspected ongoing schemes under the Punjab Development Programme along with Deputy Commissioner Noor-ul-Ain Qureshi. The secretary reviewed the pace of infrastructure works, desilting operations and drainage improvement projects being executed across the district.
Managing Director WASA Gujrat Kashan Hafeez Butt briefed the visiting official on the progress of sewerage schemes, the operational status of disposal stations and measures being taken to improve drainage capacity before the arrival of heavier monsoon rains.
Officials said the provincial government was closely monitoring flood preparedness across vulnerable districts and had directed all departments to complete preventive works, maintain emergency equipment in working condition and ensure a coordinated response to minimise disruption during the monsoon season.