Islamabad:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed the President of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), together with federal ministers for climate change and planning, to coordinate closely with the provincial governments in the formulation of a comprehensive disaster management plan, as the number of deaths of torrential rains this year and the cloudbursts reached 178 on Thursday.
He issued the directive during his visit to the National Emergency Operation Center (NEOC) at the NDMA headquarters, where he was informed about the current situation of the monsoon, continuous disaster response efforts and the growing frequency and intensity of extreme climate events.
Also read: Punjab declares the emergency when torrential rains kill more than 60 years today
During the informative session, the president of the NDMA, Lieutenant General Inam Haider, Malik, reported that until now 178 people have lost their lives and around 500 others injured in incidents related to rain throughout the country.
In addition, he informed that this year’s intensity is between 60 and 70 percent higher than last year, and in general 65 percent above average throughout the region. He pointed out that although the monsoon season generally includes meteorological spells from eight to nine years, the current cycle has already experienced two to three additional spells.
He added that last year’s forecasts had indicated a greater impact on northern Punjab, Azad Jammu and Kashmira (AJK), Islamabad and Upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP), to which this year the decrease has changed towards Punjab, Ajk, Ajk, Ajk and Islamabad, a trend that continues for another three to four weeks.
The president of the NDMA also warned that four or five MONZÓN SPRUCES are expected, with the third spell, which began on June 26, now approaching its conclusion.
Praising the efforts of the NDMA, the prime minister praised the qualified personnel of the modern authority and infrastructure, describing the organization as an “encouraging environment” for disaster management through a highly capable team.
The honorable Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif visited the National Emergency Operation Center (NEOC) to review the situation of the current and evolving monsoon. President NDMA, LTG INAM Haider Malik, informed him about the damages incurred, the projected seasonal risks, the state of the rivers and the hydraulic structures. pic.twitter.com/nmb7irbh2c
– Ndma Pakistan (@ndmapk) July 17, 2025
He recognized the recent incidents of cloud bubbles and heavy breasts in Chakwal, Lahore, Islamabad and other mountainous regions, pointing out the seriousness of climatic conditions.
While the southern parts of the country have been less affected, he observed that the central and north regions remain at risk significantly.
He also praised the response of the provincial governments. He said that the coordination between NDMA and the provincial disaster management authorities (PDMA) had helped minimize losses.
Emphasizing the importance of preparation, Prime Minister Shehbaz said: “As the projections show greater cloud activity, we must prepare accordingly. The federal government and the NDMA must maintain a close coordination with the provinces.”
Highlighting the vulnerability of Pakistan to climate change, he reiterated that although the country contributes minimally to world emissions of greenhouse gases, it is among the ten main nations most vulnerable to the climate.
“This is both a challenge and an opportunity to build a climate resistant Pakistan, particularly in the fields of agriculture and infrastructure,” added the prime minister.
