Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has given the green light to a nationwide, integrated strategy aimed at reducing the growing impacts of climate-induced disasters, Federal Minister for Climate Change Dr. Musadik Malik announced on Wednesday.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad alongside NDMA Chairman Lt. Gen. Inam Haider Malik, the minister said the government has finalized a three-phase programme designed to curb the damage caused by extreme weather events such as floods, heavy rains, and heatwaves.
Dr. Musadik explained that the first phase to be completed within the next 200 days will focus entirely on repairing the destruction caused by the recent floods. This includes urgent restoration of drainage systems, reinforcement of embankments, and rehabilitation of vulnerable areas to ensure communities are protected before the next monsoon season.
The second phase, which will span the next one to three years, will involve a major expansion of early warning systems at both the district and tehsil levels. According to the minister, this upgrade will allow authorities to issue faster, more accurate alerts and carry out timely evacuations where needed.
The third phase, stretching across three to five years, aims to build climate-resilient infrastructure, particularly in flood-prone regions. “Our focus is long-term protection,” Dr. Musadik said, adding that the government wants to ensure that communities can withstand the increasing intensity of weather-related shocks.
The Prime Minister has also directed authorities to establish a mobile health system capable of reaching disaster-stricken areas quickly. These mobile units, equipped to function as trauma care centers, will provide emergency medical assistance in areas cut off during floods or landslides.
Highlighting the country’s vulnerability, Dr. Musadik said NDMA can now predict disaster patterns and assess their potential impact with nearly 95% accuracy months in advance. He noted that northern areas are expected to receive higher-than-normal snowfall this winter, while an early heatwave could cause rapid snowmelt and trigger flooding in downstream regions.
NDMA Chairman Lt. Gen. Inam Haider Malik added that Pakistan remains among the top five most climate-affected countries in the world, with rising global temperatures intensifying the severity of seasonal weather events each passing year. He assured that NDMA is coordinating closely with all provinces and taking preventative measures to minimize losses from future climate-driven emergencies.
