ISLAMABAD: In response to damages in the ongoing monsoon season, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik, in a high-level meeting at the National Emergencies Operations Centre (NEOC), instructed relevant departments to gather accurate data of flood damages to enhance disaster response efforts.
Attended by key stakeholders, including the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), Federal Flood Commission (FFC), Provincial, State, and Gilgit Baltistan disaster management authorities (PDMAs, SDMA, GBDMA respectively), Federal Flood Division (FFD), Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARO), and representatives from Tarbela and Mangla Dam Management, the meeting focused on analyzing the current monsoon situation.
NDMA takes stock of damages
Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik reviewed the situation of damages, the current situation of major Dams, and the regulation of river flows during the ongoing monsoon spell.
During the meeting, the PMD provided a comprehensive overview of the recent rainfall patterns in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Kashmir, along with forecasts for the Northern parts of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Malakand Division), and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) from July 31 to August 6.
Highlighting the significant efforts of the respective provinces, PDMAs briefed the stakeholders about the current situation and rescue and relief operations conducted during the recent spell of heavy rains and flooding.
During the meeting, the FFD reported that no major rivers were expected to reach a high flood situation in the upcoming week. However, they did issue a cautionary note regarding a fresh spell of moderate intensity, likely to bring heavy rainfall to scattered places from August 5 to 7.
Regarding the water reservoirs, the management of Mangla and Tarbela Dam provided essential updates during the meeting. They were told that, as of now, both dams were filled to 85% and 86% of their respective capacities.
