National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Lieutenant General Inam Haider said Saturday that this year’s monsoon has been 50 percent more intense, with three more spells expected until September.
Addressing a press briefing in Islamabad, he said climate change has severely affected Pakistan, causing widespread destruction in Buner, Bajaur, and Battagram. He noted that Babusar in Gilgit-Baltistan was among the worst-hit areas, while losses in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are still being assessed. “A cloudburst was recorded in Islamabad today,” he added.
NDMA chief announced that flood-hit areas will be fully surveyed and relief including food supplies will be delivered.
He said efforts are underway to restore communication with cut-off communities, while the armed forces are supporting stranded citizens. “On the prime minister’s directives, relief packages will be distributed, and the search for missing persons continues,” he said.
Lt Gen Inam Haider stressed that the devastation in northern districts was linked to climate change, and that northern Punjab and northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will likely face more intense rains in the coming days. He assured that NDMA, along with relevant ministries, will continue rehabilitation efforts and provide regular updates to minimize future losses.
Meanwhile, the NDMA’s latest report said 151 people died in the past 24 hours, including 144 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Among the victims were 124 men, 16 women, and 11 children. With these fatalities, the nationwide death toll from monsoon rains, floods, and landslides this season has reached 645.
