PESHAWAR, Pakistan: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has rolled out a comprehensive plan to tackle the recurring devastation caused by floods, promising a shift from reactive relief efforts to long-term disaster resilience.
Addressing communities in flood-affected areas of Swat and Malakand, Gandapur said that modern technology will play a central role in the province’s disaster-prevention strategy. Early warning systems and cloudburst detection sensors, modeled after successful systems in Switzerland and India, will be deployed to predict and minimize damage from sudden floods and landslides.
The Chief Minister emphasized that destroyed homes will be rebuilt only in safe zones, avoiding riverbeds and flood-prone areas. Anti-encroachment operations, already launched in places like Dera Ismail Khan, will continue to ensure safety and prevent future settlement hazards along the riverbanks.
The government has also allocated significant funds to boost relief and rehabilitation efforts. A Rs3 billion package has been released for immediate assistance—covering provincial disaster management operations, infrastructure repairs, and direct relief to affected families. Additionally, a supplementary grant of Rs20 billion has been approved for stalled development projects and the restoration of essential public infrastructure damaged during recent floods.
In a major relief announcement, families who lost loved ones will receive Rs2 million in compensation, while injured victims and displaced families will get direct financial support, along with food and essentials through a voucher scheme. A newly launched Food Stamp initiative will provide Rs15,000 cash assistance to affected households to help them recover in the short term.
To further secure vulnerable areas, Gandapur has formed a special committee led by the Deputy Commissioner to mark the Swat River’s boundaries. The demarcation, backed by official land records and local representatives, will help eliminate risky settlements and control encroachments along riverbeds.
Experts view the strategy as a step towards integrated flood management, balancing technology, infrastructure planning, and community safety. However, the real test will lie in the execution and enforcement of these measures as monsoon patterns grow increasingly unpredictable due to climate change.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.