President directs authorities to step up monsoon preparedness as rains batter country

President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday directed all federal, provincial and localauthorities to intensify coordinated preparedness, rescue and relief measures in view of the ongoing monsoon rains.

According to a press release issued by the President’s Secretariat, the president directed authorities to “intensify coordinated preparedness, rescue and relief measures as the country enters a critical phase of the monsoon season, with increasing rains raising the risk of flash floods, cloud bursts, glacial lake outburst floods, landslides, river flooding and urban flooding in vulnerable areas”.

He also “expressed deep sorrow over the loss of precious lives and damage to homes, infrastructure and property caused by the recent rains and related incidents”.

The president directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs), and provincial and local authorities “to maintain close coordination and ensure timely dissemination of early warnings”.

He also called for “continuous monitoring of rainfall, river flows and water levels in upper catchment regions, particularly in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir”, and directed downstream areas to make advance preparations for possible flooding.

According to the statement, the president directed the authorities “to pre-position rescue and relief resources, ensure the protection of vulnerable communities and critical infrastructure and take necessary measures to protect tourists and visitors in areas at risk from flash floods, Glofs and landslides”.

The statement added that the president emphasised “that all concerned institutions must remain vigilant and ensure an immediate response wherever lives or property are at risk”.

He urged the public “to follow official advisories and avoid unnecessary travel to areas facing warnings of heavy rain, flash floods, landslides or other weather-related hazards”.

The statement said President Zardari also appreciated the efforts of rescue workers and emergency personnel engaged in relief operations and prayed for the safety of people across the country.

At least 37 people have died in rain-related incidents as the ongoing monsoon spell triggered flash floods and landslides, damaging houses, crops, livestock and roads in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned that the current spell could trigger flash floods, landslides and glacial lake outburst floods in northern areas. ...