Pakistan PM orders enhanced coordination for monsoon rain preparedness

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to strengthen its coordination with provincial governments and their disaster management agencies. This directive comes as the country braces for the ongoing monsoon rains, which typically occur from June to September.

The Prime Minister issued the instructions during a meeting with NDMA Chairman Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik. The focus was on averting any emergency situations that could arise from heavy downpours, which are crucial for water supplies but also known to trigger deadly floods and landslides, particularly in vulnerable areas.

During the briefing, the NDMA chairman informed the Prime Minister about the nation's preparedness for monsoon-related emergencies. Progress on fully operationalizing the early warning system and improving cooperation with the Ministry of Climate Change were also key discussion points. The Pakistan Meteorological Department forecasts near-normal rainfall in some regions, but warns of above-normal temperatures that could accelerate snow and glacier melt, potentially increasing river flows.