KARACHI: The federal and Sindh governments on Friday launched an intensified, coordinated preparedness strategy to confront the growing threat of monsoon rains, floods, heatwaves and other climate-induced disasters.
The National Disaster Management Authority introduced a next-generation early warning and predictive disaster intelligence system aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s disaster response capabilities.
The high-level meeting held here at the Chief Minister’s House brought together Federal Minister for Climate Change Musadik Malik, NDMA Chairman Lt.-Gen Inam Haider Malik, Sindh Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, Adviser to the Chief Minister on Disaster Management and Rehabilitation, Gyan Chand Essrani, Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi, senior provincial officials and NDMA representatives.
The participants reviewed Sindh’s preparedness for the 2026 monsoon season, assessed emerging climate risks and agreed to further strengthen coordination between federal and provincial institutions to safeguard lives and critical infrastructure.
During the meeting, the NDMA unveiled its Next-Generation Early Warning System and Predictive Disaster Intelligence System, describing them as a major leap forward in Pakistan’s disaster management framework.
Officials said the systems would integrate real-time meteorological, hydrological and geospatial data through the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC), which would enable authorities to accurately forecast extreme weather events, identify vulnerable areas, and make timely and evidence-based decisions before disasters strike.
The meeting was informed that Pakistan faces an increasing range of climate-related threats, including glacial melting, flash floods, riverine flooding, heatwaves, cyclones and prolonged droughts, driven by the accelerating impacts of climate change.
According to NDMA’s seasonal forecast, July 15 to August 30 is expected to bring above-normal temperatures, high humidity and an active monsoon season, increasing the likelihood of flooding in several parts of Sindh.
Officials noted that Sindh remains among Pakistan’s most flood-prone province due to its location at the tail end of the Indus River system.
The province faces three major flood threats: overflow from the Indus River, hill torrents originating from the Kirthar Range and heavy monsoon rainfall.
The meeting reviewed the vulnerability of Kashmore, Ghotki, Sukkur, Shikarpur, Larkana, Dadu, Jamshoro and Qambar Shahdadkot to riverine flooding, while Karachi, Hyderabad, Shaheed Benazirabad, Thatta, Sujawal and Badin were identified as districts facing a high risk of urban flooding.
Participants reviewed the condition of Sindh’s nearly 1,325 miles of flood protection embankments and the Left Bank Outfall Drain (LBOD) system.
Officials said surveys of flood embankments were continuing with the support of the Armed Forces, while the National Highway Authority (NHA) and Pakistan Railways had also been placed on high alert to protect key transport infrastructure.
To ensure uninterrupted emergency coordination, a 24-hour communication mechanism has been activated between the federal and provincial Emergency Operation Centres.
Sindh Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro said the provincial government had significantly strengthened its disaster preparedness.
He said more than 41,600 trained volunteers had been mobilised across the province, including personnel from Civil Defence, Rescue Scouts, the Pakistan Red Crescent Society, Scouts and Guides and the NDMA.
“All relevant departments have been directed to remain on maximum alert. Rivers, drainage networks, flood embankments and protective infrastructure are under continuous monitoring to ensure an immediate response to any emergency,” he said.
Authorities also announced that local media, community radio stations, telecommunication networks and digital platforms would be used to disseminate timely weather alerts and public safety advisories.
The meeting also reviewed long-term climate adaptation initiatives, including expanding heatstroke response centres, restoring mangrove forests in the Indus Delta, promoting rainwater harvesting, and incorporating climate-resilient urban planning into future development projects.
Officials discussed proposals for establishing a Sindh Climate Information System and an integrated digital climate early warning platform to improve forecasting, data sharing and emergency response.
The Sindh government also proposed scaling up mangrove restoration, adopting “sponge city” urban planning to reduce flooding, and expanding the province’s Heatwave Action Plan.
Federal Climate Change Minister Musadik Malik said climate change was no longer a future concern but an immediate national challenge requiring coordinated action by all levels of government.
“Modern early warning systems, stronger local capacity and greater public awareness are essential to protecting people’s lives, livelihoods and the national economy,” he said.
NDMA Chairman Lt.-Gen Inam Haider Malik said Pakistan was entering a new era of technology-driven disaster management, where predictive intelligence and real-time monitoring would significantly improve preparedness and response.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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