The Chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik, has warned that the current monsoon season will last until September 10.
He also indicated that next year could pose even greater risks for Pakistan, with a potential 22% increase in flood intensity anticipated.
During a briefing to parliament, the NDMA Chairman emphasised that Pakistan is experiencing severe effects from climate change. If temperatures continue to rise at the current rate, the country may face drought conditions due to the rapid melting of glaciers. He pointed out that Pakistan has the second-largest number of glaciers in the world, making their protection essential.
The NDMA Chairman reported that 150,000 individuals have been relocated from affected areas along the Sutlej River. To date, 2,100 tons of relief supplies have been dispatched to various impacted regions. Efforts are also underway to reconstruct affected areas in Gilgit-Baltistan. Additionally, rescue agencies and welfare organizations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab have performed commendably.
He further noted that low-lying and high-risk areas across the country are being evacuated to prevent potential disasters. The NDMA has comprehensive data available from June 26 onwards, which is being used to develop future action plans.
In response to a question, the Chairman mentioned that the Meteorological Department provides forecasts about potential weather conditions months in advance. The NDMA’s role is to ensure early identification of damage and prompt response.
He also stated that Pakistan has 7,500 glaciers, most of which are located in the northern regions and are continuously melting. This poses serious risks for food security and could lead to a water crisis in the future.
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