Islamabad: The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Climate Change on Thursday convened to address pressing environmental issues, including climate change impacts, flood threats, and the accelerating melting of glaciers across Pakistan. The meeting brought together committee members and officials from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
Committee member Sahibzada Sibghatullah voiced serious concerns about the current early warning system’s inefficacy, stating, “The reality on the ground is that the early warning system that has been developed has proven ineffective.”
He cited the recent destruction of a bridge in his constituency during floods, highlighting the lack of concrete repair efforts. He emphasized that disaster management should not be viewed solely as a provincial responsibility and urged the NDMA to take a more active role, especially during severe crises.
In response, the NDMA Chairman clarified that while disaster-related issues primarily fall under provincial jurisdiction, the NDMA intervenes when situations escalate. He stressed the urgent need to enhance the capacity of District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs), which currently operate with limited resources.
The Chairman also pointed out that poor urban sanitation is a significant contributor to urban flooding and called on provincial governments to restrict human settlements along riverbanks and natural waterways to mitigate flood risks.
During a briefing on glacier monitoring, NDMA officials revealed that the authority is closely tracking glacier conditions via the Global Glacier Monitoring Portal. They warned that ongoing glacier melt poses growing threats of water shortages and flooding in the coming years.
Highlighting NDMA’s preparedness, the Chairman noted the agency’s use of a modern control room, drones, and advanced technology capable of transporting up to 100 kilograms of emergency supplies. He also mentioned regular emergency drills conducted in partnership with other agencies and continuous information sharing with provincial disaster authorities.
The Chairman further cautioned that Pakistan’s rapid deforestation is worsening climate vulnerabilities. Although NDMA issues early warnings up to six months in advance, he stressed that without effective ground-level action, these alerts will not translate into meaningful protection.
The committee was also briefed on weather forecasts predicting increased rainfall in late July for Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Upper Punjab. Relevant authorities have been instructed to maintain high alert levels to prepare for potential flooding.