PM asks climate change minister to plan ahead for monsoon season

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr Musadik Malik on Wednesday to bolster preparations for the upcoming monsoon season.

In late April, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) had warned that the subcontinent may witness a ‘subdued monsoon’ this year as the warming El Niño weather phenomenon is expected to develop later this year.

During a meeting with Malik on Wednesday, the premier also instructed the relevant authorities to strengthen the early warning system to ensure continuous monitoring of areas vulnerable to natural disasters.

Also Read: Warming El Nino set to return in mid-2026: UN

During the meeting, the climate change minister briefed the prime minister about the performance of the early warning systems installed in the mountainous regions of Gilgit-Baltistan to study Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF) and flash floods.

The frequency of GLOF has increased over the years, according to research published by the Pakistan Journal of Meteorology.

The research also advocates constant monitoring of the vulnerable Gilgit-Baltistan region to minimise humanitarian and other losses.