NDMA Calls for Stronger Urban Flood Resilience by 2027
News Desk
Islamabad: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has called for a comprehensive strategy to address recurring urban flooding, stressing that the problem cannot be tackled through rainfall management alone.
The authority made the remarks during a seminar titled “Urban Flood Resilience Measures – Vision 2027: Beyond the Rains and Floods”, held at the National Emergencies Operation Center (NEOC) at NDMA headquarters in Islamabad on Friday.
The seminar brought together representatives from government departments, development authorities, urban planning professionals, water management experts and other stakeholders to discuss measures for strengthening urban flood resilience.
Participants reviewed urban flooding experienced during 2025–26, along with major flood-prone areas, vulnerable infrastructure and the condition of existing drainage systems.
Discussions focused on stormwater runoff, drainage network capacity and deterioration, retention and pumping arrangements, restoration of natural drainage corridors, and gaps in institutional coordination and emergency response.
The participants also identified structural and non-structural measures that could be implemented before June 2027, including improved drainage maintenance, enhanced stormwater management, protection of natural drainage pathways and integration of flood resilience into urban planning and development.
Representatives of the Capital Development Authority (CDA), Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA), Lahore Development Authority (LDA) and other development bodies discussed institutional responsibilities and areas requiring coordinated action to reduce urban flood risks.
In his closing remarks, NDMA Chairman Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik emphasized the need for a proactive and coordinated approach to urban flood management, with greater focus on preparedness, infrastructure resilience, institutional ownership and timely implementation of planned measures.
He stressed the need to move beyond a reactive response to rainfall and flooding towards sustained, long-term urban resilience planning.
