ISLAMABAD : The Chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a grave warning, stating that over half of Pakistan’s glaciers could vanish within the next 50 years if current environmental trends continue.
This alarming prediction highlights a severe long-term threat to the country’s water resources and the millions who depend on them. The NDMA chief noted that the lives of approximately 200 million people, who are connected to the northern mountain rivers for water and agriculture, could be directly affected.
The warning comes as Pakistan is already experiencing extreme and unusual weather patterns. The country is currently facing what was described as a “unique and unconventional” situation of intense monsoon rains and severe river floods, which have thrown the natural system into imbalance.
The immediate forecast also looks concerning. The NDMA Chairman warned that even though half the monsoon season has passed, unusual rains are still expected in Azad Kashmir and the country’s central regions. These rains could increase the risks of soil erosion, landslides, and further flooding.
Linking the crisis to rising global temperatures, the Chairman explained that the ongoing heat wave is accelerating the rate at which glaciers are melting. This rapid melt will not only affect river flows in the short term but could also create serious long-term problems for the country’s water reserves and agricultural output.
Also read: PM Directs NDMA to stay alert as flood level rises in Sutlej, Ravi and Chenab Rivers
