{
  "id": 980722,
  "title": "PM Shehbaz directs NDMA to ensure relief for citizens in flood-hit areas",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/pm-shehbaz-directs-ndma-to-ensure-relief-for-citizens-in-flood-hit-980722",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-15T07:02:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn",
    "slug": "dawn",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2023012/pm-shehbaz-directs-ndma-to-ensure-relief-for-citizens-in-flood-hit-areas"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has instructed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to extend all possible assistance and relief to citizens in areas devastated by floods. This directive was conveyed in a meeting with NDMA Chairman Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik, as reported by the Prime Minister's Office. The prime minister emphasized the utilization of all available resources to ensure the well-being of those affected by the flood crisis. He also stressed the importance of effective coordination with local institutions and Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs). The PM was pleased with the application of artificial intelligence and advanced technology at the National Emergencies Operation Centre. During the meeting, the NDMA Chairman provided an update on the country's weather conditions, focusing on the flood situation following monsoon rains. He also presented details on ongoing relief efforts in flood-affected regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The chairman assured that NDMA relief operations will persist in collaboration with the federal government in these areas. According to NDMA statistics, 155 individuals have perished and 460 have been injured due to rain-related incidents between June 26 and August 14. Monsoon rains, typically occurring from June to September, are essential for maintaining water supplies; however, excessive rainfall can lead to catastrophic floods, landslides, and displacement, especially in areas that are already vulnerable or poorly drained. On Friday, the Flood Forecasting Division of the Pakistan Meteorological Department cautioned of potential severe flooding in storm-water nullahs connected to the Chenab and Ravi rivers from August 15 to 21, as the flow rates in these waterways continue to escalate.",
  "summary": "Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to provide every possible assistance and relief to people in flood-affected areas. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the prime minister gave the directives during a meeting with NDMA Chairman Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik. The prime minister directed that…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn - Pakistan",
        "title": "PM Shehbaz directs NDMA to ensure relief for citizens in flood-hit areas",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/pm-shehbaz-directs-ndma-to-ensure-relief-for-citizens-in-flood-hit",
        "published": "2026-08-15T07:02:59.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}