By: SYED SHAHABUDDIN
In view of the upcoming Monsoon 2025 season and the risk of potential emergencies, a high-level meeting was held under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner Swat, Shehzad Mahboob. Officials and representatives from all relevant departments participated in the session. The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner (Relief & Human Rights), Assistant Commissioners of all tehsils (via video link), and representatives from the Departments of Health, Education, Police, Rescue 1122, Water and Sanitation Services Company (WSSC), Tehsil Municipal Administrations (TMAs), Local Government, Upper Swat Development Authority, Irrigation, C&W, and other relevant institutions.
Key topics discussed included pre-monsoon preparedness, improvements in the communication and drainage systems, cleaning of water channels, nullahs and sewerage lines, availability of emergency machinery, establishment of medical camps, and provision of essential medicines to prevent disease outbreaks during the rainy season. The Deputy Commissioner directed all departments to remain on high alert and ensure complete readiness for any emergency situation.
He emphasized the immediate cleaning of nullahs and sewerage lines to prevent urban flooding and instructed Rescue 1122, TMAs, and municipal bodies to keep their machinery and response teams on standby. He also ordered all Assistant Commissioners to launch special operations against illegal encroachments along the Swat River and water channels to prevent public hardships in the event of heavy rains. The DC affirmed that the protection of lives and property is the top priority of the district administration, and no negligence or laxity will be tolerated at any level. It was also decided during the meeting that an Emergency Control Room will be established in Swat to monitor the situation continuously. An effective communication system will be put in place to provide timely alerts to residents of low-lying areas.
