ISLAMABAD
NDMA Spokesperson Ali Hassan Thursday warned that river conditions are under critical watch as the department actively issues alerts, urging citizens to stay away from floodwaters, refrain from irresponsible behavior like taking selfies and assist officials during emergency evacuations.
While in an exclusive interview with a local news channel, NDMA Ali Hassan said that extreme weather conditions caused by climate change are likely to continue, and another spell of monsoon rain is approaching.
He urged citizens to remain alert, take all official advisories seriously and show maturity in handling flood-like situations, especially in vulnerable areas such as Sialkot, where water levels are already posing serious risks.
Ali Hassan emphasized that river flows remain under strict monitoring, particularly in upper Punjab and adjoining regions. He noted that the water level in key rivers, including the Chenab and Jhelum and Ravi has continued to rise, with a noticeable increase recorded on Thursday afternoon, adding, the steady inflow poses a potential threat to low-lying areas, and timely evacuations are crucial to minimizing damage.
He further appealed to the public to avoid visiting flood-prone zones for any reason, including photography or sightseeing and to cooperate fully with rescue teams and local administration during evacuation operations.
assan stressed that the NDMA, along with provincial departments, is fully mobilized to manage the evolving situation, but public cooperation is essential to ensure safety and prevent avoidable incidents.
In response to a question during the exclusive interview, Ali Hassan said that another monsoon spell is also expected and warned that more severe weather conditions and heavy rains are likely in the coming weeks due to ongoing climate change patterns. To another query, he stated that while a decreasing trend in river levels has been observed overall, the water flow at Shahdara is expected to rise further. He confirmed that residents living along the banks of the Ravi River have already been relocated to safer areas as a precautionary measure.
