Sign in Subscribe
Climate change

Pakistan Faces Urgent Need for Water Reservoirs to Cope with Floods and Climate Change

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has emphasized the pressing need for constructing new water reservoirs to deal with recurring flood situations and climate change challenges. During his visit to the flood-affected areas of Narowal, he stressed the importance of short, medium, and long-term policies to mitigate the impact of natural disasters. The prime minister highlighted the importance of water storage capacity, stating that without increasing storage capacity, all other efforts would remain incomplete.

Key Takeaways:

  • Pakistan is among the top ten countries most vulnerable to climate change, with recurring flood situations posing a significant threat to the country.
  • Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for the speedy construction of the Bhasha and Mohmand Dams, as well as exploring water storage options in Chiniot and northern areas through small dams.
  • Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has announced immediate compensation for farmers who lost their crops and assured relief for households affected by the floods.
  • Over 1,000 field clinics have been set up, and arrangements have been made for livestock feed and water in the flood-affected areas of Punjab.
  • The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman, Lt. Gen. Inam Haider Malik, has reported a surge of one million cusecs of water at Khanki and Qadirabad due to extraordinary rainfall in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Sialkot region.
  • President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkiye has expressed condolences and solidarity with Pakistan over the devastation caused by recent floods, offering support in rescue and relief operations.

Statistics:

  • Over 1,000 field clinics have been set up in the flood-affected areas of Punjab.
  • One million cusecs of water surged at Khanki and Qadirabad due to rainfall in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Sialkot region.
  • Punjab's administration and rescue agencies have arranged for livestock feed and water for the affected areas.
  • Pakistan is among the top ten countries most vulnerable to climate change.
  • Bhasha and Mohmand Dams are planned to address the water storage capacity issue.

Sources:

  • [Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's statement during his visit to Narowal](author not specified)
  • [Press statement issued by the PM Office on Thursday](author not specified)
  • [Pakistan Today](PakistanToday)
  • [The Express Tribune](TheExpressTribune)

Read more