Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to complete advance preparations for an emergency fund to respond to monsoon-related disasters, his office said on Wednesday, after heavy storms killed two children and injured three others in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province.
Monsoon Preparedness Meeting
Sharif chaired a meeting on monsoon preparedness after storms killed two children and injured three others in the Khyber district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). The PMO said the government has allocated Rs330 billion ($1.19 billion) in the current budget for the early completion of water infrastructure projects to strengthen national water security and safety.
Sharif said that an Emergency Response Committee, headed by the planning and development minister and comprising the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and other federal ministries, should be established to work in coordination with provincial authorities.
Emergency Fund Directive
“He directed the finance minister, as part of the Emergency Response Committee, to complete advance preparations for establishing an emergency fund in case of damage caused by the monsoon season,” the PMO said. The committee will hold weekly meetings and coordinate closely with provincial institutions, Sharif’s office added.
Sharif also directed authorities to promptly remove illegal encroachments and address other issues in river channels and potential flood pathways in vulnerable districts.
Climate Vulnerability
Pakistan remains highly vulnerable to extreme weather, which scientists attribute to climate change effects. Catastrophic monsoon floods in 2022 killed more than 1,700 people, affected 33 million and caused economic losses exceeding $30 billion, making it one of the country’s worst climate disasters. Last year’s monsoon season also triggered widespread flooding that killed more than 1,000 people and damaged homes, infrastructure and farmland across several provinces.
NDMA Forecast
NDMA officials informed participants of the meeting that Pakistan was expected to face intense heatwaves and above-normal rainfall in July, adding that necessary arrangements were being made under the preparedness strategy.
Storms Kill 2 in KP
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) KP, heavy rainfall and a cloudburst triggered flash floods that damaged at least 27 houses, two mosques, two shops and a bridge in Lower Chitral.
“In the Bara Zakakhel area of Khyber, two children were killed and three others injured due to lightning strikes,” PDMA said. “The injured children were immediately shifted to a nearby hospital.”
The PDMA said the flash floods also damaged drinking water supply schemes and irrigation canals in Upper Chitral. It said relief supplies were provided to all the affected families.
