Govt begins preparations for Monsoon 2027, eyes climate-resilient planning

MG News September 09, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan has begun preparations for Monsoon 2027, nearly a year in advance, as the government moves to shift the country's disaster-management strategy from emergency response towards climate-resilient planning. Federal Planning Minister Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Tuesday directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), provincial disaster authorities and relevant departments to immediately start preparations for next year's monsoon, said a press release issued. Chairing a meeting of the Prime Minister's Emergency Response Committee on Monsoon Preparedness 2026, Ahsan Iqbal said flood-prevention projects require eight to 10 months of technical assessment, planning, approvals, financing and execution. He warned that delaying preparations until the arrival of the next monsoon would increase costs while reducing the effectiveness of interventions. The government has also ordered a district-wise audit of areas affected by floods in 2022, 2025 and the current monsoon season. The audit will be jointly undertaken by provincial disaster-management authorities, irrigation departments, communications and works departments, district administrations and other relevant agencies. A key concern identified during the meeting was the growing vulnerability of infrastructure built under historical rainfall and flood assumptions. According to the government, many bridges, culverts, drains and flood-disposal structures were designed decades ago and may no longer be capable of handling rainfall and water flows intensified by climate change. Undersized bridges and culverts can obstruct water discharge, while drainage systems designed for lower flows can overflow and inundate populated areas. The audit will also identify floodplain encroachments and obstructions affecting protective and drainage infrastructure. Technically viable and time-sensitive flood-protection projects identified through the exercise will be considered for Green Channel processing, allowing priority schemes to move more rapidly through approval and funding stages. Provincial governments have separately been instructed to prepare recovery and rehabilitation roadmaps covering both outstanding flood damage and preventive measures required before the next monsoon. The initial audit is expected to be completed within one month, after which a time-bound action plan will be prepared. Progress will then be reviewed quarterly. The committee also identified plastic waste as a major contributor to urban flooding. According to the meeting, polythene bags and solid waste frequently block drains, culverts and water outlets, worsening flooding during periods of intense rainfall. The government plans to pair enforcement against plastic waste with a broader behaviour-change campaign and a transition strategy covering the plastic supply chain, including imports, manufacturing, retail use and waste management. The meeting was also briefed that Monsoon 2026 had entered its withdrawal phase, with no significant monsoon system currently expected to affect Pakistan. However, rainfall deficits of more than 60% in parts of Sindh and Balochistan have created serious water stress, while above-normal temperatures are expected to persist. The cumulative monsoon toll presented to the committee stood at 181 deaths and 515 injuries, while around 1,740 houses or structures had been damaged. House collapses accounted for 95 deaths, or approximately 52% of the total reported fatalities. The NDMA said it was conducting a technical assessment of vulnerable housing and had shared reconstruction models with provincial authorities. A low-cost and environmentally sustainable reconstruction programme is expected to be implemented over the next two to three months. Around 640 tonnes of relief supplies, including tents, food and camp supplies, have already been dispatched to affected areas. The government also reviewed Pakistan's dispatch of 100 tonnes of humanitarian assistance to Nepal, including tents, blankets, hygiene supplies and medicines. Ahsan Iqbal directed the NDMA to submit a comprehensive Monsoon 2026 closure report by the third week of September, documenting response operations, institutional gaps, lessons learned and implementation of committee directives. The government's early move towards Monsoon 2027 preparation underscores a growing recognition that Pakistan's climate and flood risks require long-term infrastructure planning rather than repeated reliance on post-disaster relief. Copyright Mettis Link News