Punjab fully prepared to handle monsoon emergencies : Khawaja Salman Rafique

LAHORE, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Jul, 2026) Punjab Minister for Health and Chairman of the Cabinet Committee for Disaster Management Khawaja Salman Rafique on Friday said the provincial administration is fully prepared to respond to any emergency situation during the ongoing monsoon season.

He made the remarks during a visit to the Provincial Emergency Center at the Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Headquarters, where Director General PDMA Umar Abbas Mela briefed him on the latest monsoon situation and water flow in rivers across the province.

Khawaja Salman Rafique said the Punjab government, under the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, is taking comprehensive measures to safeguard the province from floods and other water-related disasters. He said Rescue services have been equipped with modern machinery and equipment worth billions of rupees to enhance emergency response capabilities.

The minister said both pre-disaster preparedness and post-disaster response mechanisms are being strengthened to ensure timely action and minimize losses. He added that the measures being implemented would play a vital role in preventing flood-related damage and protecting human lives and property.

He expressed satisfaction over the preparedness of the PDMA, saying the authority's arrangements for the current monsoon season are significantly better than those made last year.

Speaking on the occasion, DG PDMA Umar Abbas Mela said all field officers have been placed on high alert and that the authority is maintaining continuous monitoring of the monsoon situation and river water flows to ensure a swift response to any emerging emergency.