Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to provide financial assistance to families affected by recent monsoon floods and expedite relief and rehabilitation efforts.
The prime minister issued the directives while chairing a meeting on the damage caused by heavy rains and flooding across the country.
He ordered financial assistance for families who lost members in the floods and those whose homes were partially or completely damaged.
PM Shehbaz also directed authorities to restore electricity and repair damaged roads at the earliest. Federal ministers and secretaries were asked to visit affected areas, assess the damage and speed up rehabilitation and relief operations.
He instructed authorities to ensure the immediate delivery of food and other essential relief supplies to areas that remained inaccessible.
The prime minister further directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and provincial disaster management authorities to remain prepared for further rain and flooding.
Officials briefed the meeting that flood-affected people had been moved to safer locations and that around 615 tonnes of relief goods had been dispatched to affected areas. Rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure was also underway in Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was also informed that early warning systems were operational in northern areas, helping authorities evacuate residents before flooding.
According to the NDMA, 164 people have died across Pakistan between June 26 and Aug 21 during the ongoing monsoon season.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast rain, strong winds and thunderstorms in upper and central parts of the country through Aug 23, with warnings of possible urban and flash flooding.
The forecast covers major cities in Punjab, several divisions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir, while isolated showers are expected in parts of Balochistan.
