Improved coordination, early warning systems made monsoon response more effective: Attaullah Tarar

ISLAMABAD, Jul 28 (APP):Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Tuesday said improved coordination between the federal and provincial governments, coupled with strengthened early warning systems, had made this year’s response to monsoon rains more effective and helped reduce loss of life and property compared with previous years.

The minister expressed these views during a visit to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), accompanied by Federal Ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Rana Tanveer Hussain, Musadik Malik, Mian Muhammad Moeen Wattoo and Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb.

Describing the response to the ongoing monsoon season as very effective, the minister said valuable lessons had been learnt from last year and that the whole-of-the-government approach had never been stronger.

He expressed heartfelt gratitude to NDMA Chairman Lt. General Inam Haider Malik, for the authority’s role in coordinating disaster management efforts.

Attaullah Tarar said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had initiated timely meetings attended by NDMA officials, members of the federal cabinet and representatives of the provincial governments, including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, to ensure coordinated preparedness and response.

He said the NDMA had worked closely with all relevant departments and provincial governments to strengthen early warning mechanisms and ensure timely dissemination of information to the public.

Highlighting the role of the National Emergency Operations Centre, the minister said such facilities were found in very few countries and described the centre as a valuable national asset for implementing the whole-of-the-government approach and issuing timely early warnings.

He said delegations from across the world visited the NDMA to observe the centre and its technological capabilities.

The minister said the technology deployed at the facility enabled authorities to provide timely information to the public, helping minimise loss of life and property.

He added that these efforts had contributed to reducing losses during this year’s monsoon season.

Tarar said public awareness had been promoted not only through traditional media but also through the Pak NDMA Alert App, which provided subscribers with real-time information on their devices.

He said the government would continue working collectively with all relevant ministries, divisions and provincial governments to address the challenges posed by the monsoon season, adding that a comprehensive briefing on preparedness and response measures had already been presented.

The minister stressed that disaster response was the responsibility of every citizen and the wider community.

He urged the public to actively participate in relief efforts wherever loss and damage had occurred and remain vigilant in areas facing the risk of cloudbursts, flooding in rivers and streams, and exceptionally heavy rainfall.

He noted that several cities had received within a few days an amount of rainfall that would normally be expected over several months, reiterating that the overall response had nevertheless remained effective.

Attaullah Tarar said the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting remained fully committed to enhancing public awareness and ensuring timely dissemination of information in coordination with the NDMA and all relevant ministries and divisions in line with the prime minister’s directions.

He also appreciated Pakistan’s media for supporting awareness campaigns on climate-related challenges, early warning systems and disaster preparedness through news bulletins, talk shows and social media platforms.

“We will continue to play our role to make the people aware of this challenge,” the minister said, expressing hope that the response would become even more effective in the coming days and that all stakeholders would continue working together to assist the affected people.