Measures being taken to combat monsoon floods’ impacts: PM’s climate aide

Islamabad:

The Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Romina Khurshid Alam has said that comprehensive measures are being taken to prepare for potential floods ahead of the upcoming monsoon season.USAID Launches $10m Pakistan Climate Financing Initiative

In a statement on Sunday, she said these proactive efforts aim to minimize the impact of floods on vulnerable communities.

She said the ministry is serving as a collaborative platform for all relevant departments to assess flood vulnerability in the country’s flood-prone areas and develop a unified strategy to mitigate the effects of potential floods on lives and livelihoods, agricultural crops and public infrastructure.

The PM’s coordinator said this coordinated approach, when implemented, helps in a robust response from the government departments to flood risks.

“This proactive approach demonstrates the government’s commitment to preparedness and resilience in the face of potential floods”, Romina Khurshid Alam emphasised.

She said the ministry has convened three weekly task force meetings focused on global warming and heat waves, bringing together representatives from key agencies in June.

The PM’s climate aide said that these institutions like Ministry of Climate Change, National Disaster Management Authority, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Pakistan Meteorological Department, and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting are working together to support eachother to achieve same goal.

She stated these meetings have facilitated the sharing of expertise and inputs on effective flood impact reduction measures.

The Coordinator emphasized that following the safety of affected individuals, the primary concern is ensuring the provision of essential amenities at relief camps, including shelter, food, portable drinking water, medical supplies, and animal care.

These relief camps will be strategically established in easily accessible locations and widely publicized through various communication channels, including regular, conventional, and digital media.

Romina Khurshid Alam also highlighted the critical importance of monitoring and addressing illegal tree cuttings, as forest ecosystems play a vital role in comprehensive flood risk management strategies.