Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday emphasized the pressing need to construct new water reservoirs and small dams to address the escalating threat of climate change, as severe floods continue to impact areas of Punjab.

He stressed that increasing water storage capacity must start immediately and urged the government to raise its own funds to support these vital infrastructure projects while speaking at a high-level review meeting in Narowal on August 28, 2025.

In particular, he brought up the Diamir Bhasha Dam, whose prompt completion he believed was essential in reducing the risk of future floods.

“Pakistan is among the countries most affected by climate change. Construction of new water reservoirs is the need of the hour. We must utilise our resources to enhance water storage capacity, and there is great potential to build several small dams.”

The Prime Minister brought attention to the larger picture, expressing concern that what started out as flooding in the country's northern areas is now spreading across Punjab's plains.

In order to reduce losses during rescue and relief operations, he commended the coordinated efforts of the Pakistan Army, NDMA, Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Prime Minister's Office, and other organizations.

In a similar vein, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz emphasized the need for better infrastructure, citing the Ravi River's abnormally high-water levels and the potential for significant harm in the absence of adequate storage systems.

She confirmed that proactive measures, such as programs for floodwater storage, rainwater collection, and evacuations, are already in place.

Flood conditions along the Ravi, Chenab, and Sutlej rivers are still severe, according to NDMA Chairman Lt. Gen Inam Haider Malik, who briefed the meeting via aerial survey.

He also mentioned how response systems are strained by severe crop damage. Actions across the border have increased the risk of flooding: India released too much water from its dams, which raised alarms and forced more than 150,000 people to leave eastern Punjab.

Local rivers, particularly the Ravi, Chenab, and Sutlej, have been forced into medium-to-high flood stages by these releases and the unrelenting monsoon rains, necessitating an emergency response.

Meanwhile, the region is still experiencing widespread destruction. In eastern Punjab alone, more than 1.2 million people have been impacted, almost 250,000 have been displaced, and 15 have died.