Islamabad:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif instructed the President of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) together with the federal ministers of climate change and planning for close coordination with provincial governments in the formulation of a comprehensive disaster control plan when the death of this year’s storming rain and cloudburst reached 178 on Thursday.
He issued the directive during his visit to the National Emergency Center Center (NEOC) at the NDMA headquarters, where he was informed of the current Monsun situation, continuous disaster action efforts and the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.
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During the briefing, NDMA chairman Lieutenant Inam Haider Malik reported that 178 people have lost their lives so far and about 500 others have been injured in rain-related incidents across the country.
He also stated that this year’s monsoonness is between 60 to 70 percent higher than last year, and overall 65 percent above average throughout the region. He noted that although the Monsun season typically includes eight to nine weather forms, the current cycle has already experienced two to three additional magic forms.
He added that last year’s forecasts had indicated increased influence in northern Punjab, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Islamabad and Upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP), while the pile this year has switched to lower and upper Punjab, AJK and Islamabad trend that expected to continue for another three weeks.
NDMA – President also warned that four to five more monsoon -till forms are expected with the third spell – which began on June 26 – is now approaching its conclusion.
The Prime Minister praised NDMA’s efforts and praised the authority’s skilled staff and modern infrastructure and described the organization as providing an “encouraging environment” for disaster management through a very skilled team.
Hon’ble Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif visited National Emergecy’s Operation Center (Neoc) to review the current and developing Monsun situation. Chairman NDMA, LTG Inam Haider Malik, informed him of held compensation, projected seasonal dangers, the status of rivers and hydraulic structures. pic.twitter.com/nmb7irbh2c
– NDMA Pakistan (@ndmapk) July 17, 2025
He recognized the recent events with cloudbursts and heavy rainfall in Chakwal, Lahore, Islamabad and other hilly regions and noted that the weather conditions are noted.
While southern parts of the country have been less affected, he observed that the central and northern regions remain significantly at risk.
He also praised answers from provincial governments. He said coordination between NDMA and provincial disaster management authorities (PDMAs) had helped minimize losses.
When we emphasized the importance of readiness, Prime Minister Shehbaz said: “As projections show increased cloudburst activity, we must prepare ourselves accordingly. The federal government and NDMA must maintain close coordination with provinces.”
When he highlights Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change, he reiterated that although the country contributes minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions, it ranks among the ten most climate-vulnerable nations.
“This is both a challenge and an opportunity to build a climate resilient Pakistan, especially in agriculture and infrastructure,” the prime minister added.
