LAHORE: Punjab has launched drone monitoring of all barrages, rivers and headworks for the first time to issue early flood warnings in the province.

“The Safe City drones are being used to monitor water levels at rivers, headworks and barrages to facilitate early detection of incoming flood waves,” Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said on Thursday. The drone monitoring system will help identify any approaching flood surges in advance and strengthen flood preparedness across the province.

The CM has directed all relevant departments to utilise every available human and mechanical resource to effectively deal with urban flooding, hill torrents and possible flood emergencies across the province.

Chairing a meeting to review the monsoon situation, the chief minister also instructed the Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) and other power distribution companies (Discos) to take immediate notice of deaths caused by electrocution during rains.

“People are losing their lives because of the negligence of power distribution companies. Dangling electric wires on utility poles have become a serious threat to human life,” she said.

She also ordered strict enforcement of the ban on swimming in rivers, dams and barrages, along with drone monitoring of vulnerable sites.

She directed the administration to use mosques, electronic media and social media platforms to issue timely public advisories regarding rainfall and flood conditions. She also ordered that all construction sites be secured during the monsoon season.

She instructed district administration officers to inspect dilapidated and unsafe buildings and ensure their voluntary evacuation, where necessary.

She further directed that manholes, drains and roadside pits be properly secured and ordered immediate drainage of rainwater from commercial centres and other public places on a priority basis.

She ordered advance flood warnings and timely evacuation measures in Multan and Dera Ghazi Khan in view of the risk of urban flooding and hill torrents. She directed that monsoon flood control rooms should remain operational around the clock in every district.

In Murree, she ordered precautionary evacuation in areas vulnerable to landslides and directed authorities to warn tourists through public announcements about the potential risks.

The CM also instructed the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa), Rescue 1122, Local Government Department and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to ensure complete coordination.

She directed live monitoring of underpasses across the province.

“A live feed system has been introduced to identify rainwater accumulation in underpasses during the monsoon season and ensure immediate drainage.”

Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2026