PMD directed to upgrade early warning systems
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the human and material losses caused by the recent intense monsoon season, particularly in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). Expressing deep sorrow over the tragic incidents across the country, the Prime Minister reaffirmed the federal government’s full support for the administrations and people of the affected regions.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister announced plans to visit Gilgit-Baltistan soon in a show of solidarity with the victims and pledged a federal relief package to aid in recovery efforts. He directed all relevant federal agencies to collaborate closely with local administrations to accurately assess the damages.
Emphasizing preparedness, the Prime Minister instructed that the Pakistan Meteorological Department’s early warning systems be urgently upgraded and made fully operational to mitigate the impact of extreme weather events. He also directed that saving lives and preventing further losses be the top priority in ongoing relief operations. Furthermore, he called for special attention to be given to the restoration and repair of communication networks and road infrastructure in the affected regions.
Chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik, briefed the meeting on the scale of the devastation. He reported that the current monsoon season has so far claimed 295 lives and injured more than 700 people across the country. Over 1,600 homes have been completely destroyed, and 376 livestock lost.
The NDMA warned of continued risk, noting ongoing heavy flooding in rivers and streams, with low-level flooding expected at Tarbela, Chashma, Taunsa, and Kalabagh, and medium-level flooding at Head Marala and Guddu along the Chenab River. The agency also indicated that the monsoon activity could intensify further by the end of August and assured that all necessary precautions are being taken.
The meeting was attended by AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq, Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Climate Change Dr. Musadik Malik, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, NDMA Chairman Inam Haider Malik, and other senior officials.
