The Federal Flood Commission (FFC) developed and implemented three 10-year national flood protection plans between 1977 and 2007. The three plans implemented a total of more than 1,200 flood protection schemes. These plans included actions such as:
- the execution of flood-protection schemes; and
- the procurement and installation of a flood-forecasting system and floodplain mapping.
A fourth 10-year national flood protection plan is being prepared by the national government which will take into account other aspects such as climate change. Every year, before the onset of the monsoon, all provinces, in relation to their river jurisdictions, as well as the federal government in its field of operations, conduct a pre-flood planning exercise to review the conditions of major river infrastructure such as reservoirs, barrages, and levees, and decide on advance actions to prepare for an effective response to probable floods. Flood preparedness planning ensures that:
- the flood forecasting and early warning system is functional;
- community-based early warning systems are in place for the issuance of timely and effective flood warnings;
- strict vigilance is exercised and sufficient resources are deployed to strengthen critical levees and barrages;
- safe havens are identified in case evacuation is required;
- emergency relief supplies (food, fodder, and medicine) and temporary shelters are arranged;
- transport for evacuation is made available; and
- rehearsals and drills are conducted.
The report of Asian Development Bank (2013) describes the measures undertaken by Pakistani Government, both, structural and non-structural ones. A study shows that a shift from traditional flood management to a contemporary holistic approach which incorporates an integrated water-resources management framework can more effectively mitigate the flood risks, and provide an additional source of freshwater for productive use.