Disaster risk management: NDMA using latest forecasting capabilities

ISLAMABAD: To minimize climate change-related risks, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), in collaboration with national and international partners, is continuously monitoring weather and climate patterns using the latest forecasting capabilities for disaster risk management.

This was stated by Chairman NDMA Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik on Tuesday during a briefing to the Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat, held under the chairmanship of Senator Rana Mehmood Ul Hassan.

Members were briefed on expected climate conditions, including above-normal temperatures in parts of Sindh, Balochistan, and southern Punjab, as well as increased risks of glacier lake outburst floods (GLOFs) and flash floods in Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The meeting was attended by Senators Mohammad Abdul Qadir, Saadia Abbasi, and Samina Mumtaz Zehri, while Senator Anusha Rahman participated via video link.

Officials informed the committee that Pakistan remains among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, facing increasing risks from heatwaves, glacier melting, droughts, flash floods, and other climate-induced disasters.

NDMA officials also briefed the panel on various technological initiatives, including real-time monitoring platforms and mobile applications providing early warnings, emergency alerts, and disaster response services. The authority further informed the committee about measures being taken to promote climate-resilient infrastructure, strengthen emergency response capacities, and improve disaster preparedness at the federal, provincial, and district levels.

Senator Anusha Rahman emphasized the need for enhanced coordination between NDMA and provincial governments. The Chairman of the NDMA informed the committee that regular coordination mechanisms, preparedness plans, and emergency stockpiles have been established to ensure a timely response during emergencies.

The committee also discussed vulnerable areas, including Kumrat and Swat, and stressed the importance of preventive measures to mitigate the risks of floods and glacier lake outburst events. Representatives of Rescue 1122 Balochistan appreciated NDMA’s support and called for greater coordination, resource sharing, and engagement of academic institutions in disaster management efforts.

The committee subsequently considered “The National Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2025.” Members highlighted concerns regarding the timely distribution of relief supplies and emphasized the need for greater transparency, accountability, and coordination among disaster management institutions. The committee recommended consultation with provincial governments on the proposed legislation. In view of the government’s reservations on the bill, the committee deferred further consideration until receipt of the government’s formal response.

The Tollhawk, a US-based company, briefed the committee about its sensor device for early flood warning to help prevent large-scale destruction. In response, the Chairman of the NDMA briefed the committee on glacier monitoring systems installed under a UNDP-supported project. He added that a total of 350 devices are currently installed on glaciers, which is not sufficient to monitor around 13,500 glaciers in the country. Members were informed that additional monitoring infrastructure is required to effectively cover Pakistan’s glaciers. The matter was referred to the Ministry of Climate Change with a recommendation to convene a joint technical meeting of all relevant stakeholders.

Concluding the meeting, Chairman Senator Rana Mehmood Ul Hassan underscored the need to bridge coordination gaps between federal and provincial authorities to ensure a more effective and timely response to disasters across the country.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026