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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Directs Action on Flood-Devastated Gilgit-Baltistan

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Ministry of Climate Change to complete the long-delayed "early warning and monitoring centre" project in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) within two months. The directive came during his visit to GB to assess the damage caused by recent flash floods, which have claimed lives, destroyed homes, and washed away farmland. The Prime Minister emphasized the need for tourist destinations to be equipped with early warning facilities and for residents living along natural waterways to be relocated to safer areas to prevent future tragedies.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Prime Minister directed the NDMA and the Ministry of Climate Change to complete the early warning and monitoring centre project in GB within two months.
  • The centre is a long-delayed project proposed seven years ago, and despite being past due, no tangible progress had been made.
  • The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of tourist destinations having early warning facilities to minimize risks to visitors.
  • He also instructed stakeholders to ensure the centre becomes operational within two months, warning that no extensions would be granted.
  • The Prime Minister announced a package of Rs4 billion for the restoration of damaged infrastructure in GB.
  • He also promised a Daanish school for the region and a 100MW solar power project, which would be presented to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for approval.
  • The Ghizer district remains one of the hardest-hit areas, with residents marooned for a fifth consecutive day due to a flooded stream blocking the Ghizer River.
  • Officials warned that repairing the submerged road would be extremely difficult due to the rocky terrain and constant water flow in the affected section.
  • The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a fresh alert for glaciated regions of GB and KP, warning of increased risks of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), flash floods, and landslides.
  • Climate Minister Musadik Malik revealed that existing early warning systems in the region had either been stolen or deliberately damaged.
  • Unplanned construction along streambeds, including hotels and commercial infrastructure, had amplified the destruction during recent floods.
  • The Prime Minister noted that Pakistan remains one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, facing repeated disasters such as flash floods, glacial melts, and extreme weather events.

Statistics:

  • The NDMA and the Ministry of Climate Change have been instructed to complete the early warning and monitoring centre project within two months.
  • Rs4 billion have been allocated for the restoration of damaged infrastructure in GB.
  • A 100MW solar power project is to be presented to the ECNEC for approval.
  • The Ghizer district has been marooned for a fifth consecutive day due to a flooded stream blocking the Ghizer River.
  • Officials have warned that repairing the submerged road would be extremely difficult due to the rocky terrain and constant water flow in the affected section.
  • The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a fresh alert for glaciated regions of GB and KP, warning of increased risks of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), flash floods, and landslides.

Sources:

  • Pakistan Today
  • Dawn
  • The Express Tribune
  • Geo News
  • Ministry of Climate Change

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