Islamabad:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday instructed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) President and Federal Planning and Climate Movement Ministers to participate in heads with the provinces to develop a comprehensive disaster control plan based on the lessons of this year’s destructive rain and cloudburst events.
The Prime Minister visited the National Emergency Center Center (NEOC) at the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) headquarters, where he was informed of the country’s monsoon situation, disaster action efforts and the increasing intensity of weather patterns.
The Prime Minister praised NDMA’s efforts and paid tribute to the role of modern technology and skilled human resources on the authority.
He said, “NDMA always gives an encouraging environment, and it is because of its modern infrastructure and very skilled team. This is my second visit here and I am happy to see the inauguration.”
The Prime Minister highlighted recent skybursts and heavy rain in Chakwal, Lahore, Islamabad and hilly areas that recognized the severity of the weather conditions.
The Prime Minister appreciated the provincial governments for their answers, especially Punjab under chief minister Maryam Nawaz, for their effective disaster management and coordination with NDMA and PDMAs, resulting in relatively fewer losses.
The Prime Minister promised full support from the Prime Minister’s Office in the purchase of necessary disaster warning equipment and emphasized the importance of federal-province cooperation on strengthening human resources, capacity building and equipment for rescue and relief operations.
During the briefing, NDMA chairman Lieutenant Inam Haider Malik informed Malik Prime Minister that this year’s monsoon is 60-70 percent higher than last year, and an average of 65 percent more than expected throughout the region. Traditionally limited to eight to nine magic forms, the current Monsun season has already seen two to three additional magic forms, he added.
So far, he said 178 lives have been lost and about 500 people injured due to rain -related events. While last year’s projections had indicated increasing effects in northern Punjab, AJK, Islamabad and Upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP), brown this year has changed against lower and upper Punjab, Islamabad and AJK, with the trend expected to continue for the next 3 to 4 weeks.
