Govt strengthens monsoon response, fresh rainfall …

ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Tuesday unveiled an enhanced  preparedness strategy, with senior ministers stressing that effective water regulation, stronger disaster management and coordinated planning are essential to reducing the impact of climate-related emergencies.

The announcement came as authorities warned of another intense spell of monsoon rains expected to begin on July 29. According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), at least 107 people have lost their lives and 297 others have been injured since the current monsoon season started on June 26.

Addressing a joint media briefing at the NDMA headquarters, Climate Change Minister Musadik Malik said Pakistan must move beyond the traditional approach of simply storing water and instead adopt a comprehensive system that regulates water supplies throughout the year. He noted that the government is implementing region-specific disaster management plans, recognising that the challenges faced by urban centres, agricultural areas and northern regions require different responses.

Malik emphasised that efficient water management is vital for ensuring food security and sustaining agricultural production. He said dams should be used not only for storage but also for regulating water availability during critical farming seasons. He also called for improvements in water monitoring systems, infrastructure and building regulations, adding that close coordination with provincial governments would help minimise losses during natural disasters.

National Food Security Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain highlighted the country’s growing need for additional water storage to address both floods and future shortages. He said major infrastructure projects, including the Diamer-Bhasha Dam, Mohmand Dam, Dasu project and Karachi’s K-IV water supply scheme, would significantly strengthen Pakistan’s water resources once completed.

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb described climate change and rapid population growth as two of the country’s most pressing long-term challenges. He said Pakistan is now in a stronger financial position to respond to emergencies than it was during the devastating floods of 2022 and credited the NDMA’s National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) for improving forecasting and disaster preparedness through advanced monitoring systems.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said preparations for the monsoon season had begun months in advance under the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He praised the NEOC’s early warning capabilities for helping reduce casualties and property damage by providing timely alerts through the media and the NDMA mobile application. Tarar also urged citizens to remain vigilant and follow official advisories as heavy rainfall continues across the country.

Meanwhile, the flood situation remains concerning in several regions. Although water levels in the Chenab River have shown signs of improvement, low-level flooding continues along parts of the Indus River. Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have recorded the highest number of casualties, with many deaths resulting from collapsing houses, electrocution and lightning strikes.

Gilgit-Baltistan remains one of the hardest-hit areas, where flash floods, landslides and mudflows have caused widespread destruction. Disaster management authorities reported damage to 184 houses, the destruction of nine bridges and nearly eight kilometres of roads, while dozens of disaster incidents have been recorded across the region.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department has warned that the approaching weather system could trigger widespread heavy rainfall, urban flooding, flash floods and rising river levels in Islamabad, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. Authorities say emergency response teams have been placed on alert as efforts continue to protect lives, infrastructure and communities during the ongoing monsoon season.