Pakistan initiates location-specific text messages for emergency warnings during deadly monsoon floods, notifying millions
In a groundbreaking move to enhance disaster preparedness and response, Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the country's largest digital telecom operator, Jazz, have joined forces to launch a location-based SMS alert system called DEW-3 Monsoon. This system is designed to provide real-time warnings to millions of mobile users living in high-risk zones, particularly during the monsoon season.
The collaboration, formalised in March 2025, leverages advanced geo-fencing technology to deliver targeted alerts to those in flood-prone areas. This innovative approach ensures that only those in need of the information receive the alerts, making the system highly efficient and effective.
The Disaster Early Warning System (DEW-3) is at the heart of this initiative. Specifically designed for monsoon situations, DEW-3 aims to enhance public awareness and enable timely evacuations or precautionary measures in flood-prone areas. Over 23 million Jazz subscribers living in regions identified as vulnerable by the NDMA will receive these location-based alerts.
Aamir Ibrahim, CEO of Jazz, described the partnership as a powerful demonstration of how public-private collaboration can leverage technology to protect lives and strengthen communities. Jazz's nationwide reach and location-based capabilities make it uniquely positioned to support NDMA in its mission to minimise disaster-related risks.
The system is scalable and responsive to changing weather patterns or new emergency zones. With torrential rains continuing to batter parts of Pakistan, the launch of DEW-3 Monsoon comes at a crucial time. Since the start of the monsoon season in June, over 80 people have been killed.
Pakistan, ranked among the top ten nations most vulnerable to climate change, has faced increasingly severe climate-related disasters, including catastrophic floods in 2022 and recurring heatwaves and droughts. The alerts sent by the DEW-3 Monsoon system include clear, actionable instructions to help the public respond effectively to natural disasters.
In addition to the DEW-3 Monsoon system, NDMA disseminates information through the Pak NDMA Disaster Alert mobile app, social media, and mainstream news outlets. This multi-channel approach ensures that citizens are well-informed about impending flood risks, helping mitigate the impact of natural disasters and potentially saving lives.
The partnership between NDMA and Jazz is a significant step towards modernising disaster response by integrating digital tools and expanding risk communication channels in Pakistan. The system's launch was reported by state media on Thursday.
- The collaboration between Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Jazz, formalized in March 2025, extends beyond the DEW-3 Monsoon system, with NDMA also utilizing the Pak NDMA Disaster Alert mobile app, social media, and mainstream news outlets for broad disaster information dissemination.
- The DEW-3 Monsoon system, designed for monsoon situations, represents an innovative fusion of environmental-science, technology, and art, as clear, actionable instructions are visualized through user-friendly graphics on smartphones, aiding the public in responding effectively to natural disasters.
- In an effort to combat climate-change and mitigate disaster-related risks, the DEW-3 Monsoon system, launched by Jazz, leverages geo-fencing technology, targeting alerts to those living in flood-prone areas while reducing overall system overhead and improving efficiency.
- The news of the successful integration of advanced technology into disaster preparedness and response, through Jazz's nationwide SMS alert system DEW-3 Monsoon, made headlines in technology and environmental-science publications, highlighting the potential of public-private collaborations in addressing climate-change challenges.
