Mueen Wattoo Calls for Vigilance, Coordination Ahead of 2025 Monsoon Flood Season

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Water Resources, Mian Muhammad Mueen Wattoo, on Wednesday chaired the 60th Annual Meeting of the Federal Flood Commission (FFC), urging enhanced coordination among government agencies and continuous vigilance to manage the risks associated with the upcoming 2025 monsoon season, set to begin on July 1.

According to an official press release, the high-level meeting brought together senior officials from federal departments and provincial governments to assess national preparedness and review strategies for flood mitigation.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast normal to slightly above-normal rainfall in central and southern regions of the country from July to September. Increased rainfall is expected in northeastern Punjab and Kashmir, while northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan may experience normal to below-normal precipitation.

PMD also warned of higher-than-average temperatures nationwide, which could trigger extreme hydrological events including riverine flooding, flash floods, urban flooding, and Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).

Minister Wattoo directed all relevant departments to take urgent steps to clear stormwater drains in major cities and remove encroachments and debris from critical waterways. He stressed the importance of maintaining infrastructure such as bridges and barrages, particularly those managed by the National Highway Authority and Pakistan Railways.

Special attention, he said, should be given to de-silting urban nullahs and eliminating blockages in flood-prone metropolitan areas, including Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi.

Read more: Weather Update: PMD Warns of Rain, Thunderstorms & Hailstorms Across Pakistan

The Chairman of the Federal Flood Commission briefed the attendees on pre-monsoon readiness, including coordination frameworks and infrastructure monitoring. Representatives from the National and Provincial Disaster Management Authorities also presented their preparedness strategies.

Authorities managing the Tarbela and Mangla dams shared their Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for handling controlled discharges during periods of peak water flow.

Concluding the meeting, Minister Mueen emphasized the protection of vulnerable communities and the safeguarding of vital infrastructure. He commended all stakeholders for their efforts and reaffirmed the government’s strong commitment to national flood safety and effective disaster response.