PDMA gets Rs3.4b to deal with impending disasters

Official says Rs1.136b already spent on relief efforts

ISLAMABAD: The provincial government has allocated Rs3.4 billion to strengthen the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) to help it cope with impending disaster risks and improve disaster management during the monsoon season.

According to a Balochistan government official, the PDMA had been directed to take precautionary measures as the country experiences a heavy spell of monsoon rains that have caused damage to life and property across the country.

“The province had been badly affected by disasters in the past and the provincial government has taken various initiatives to improve its response to disasters and disaster-like situations,” he said.

The official added that the authority was already providing relief – including food, shelter, medicine and other items – to those affected by such calamities.

The government had already spent Rs1.136 billion for relief and rehabilitation efforts through PDMA in various disaster-hit areas. He added that the authority was working in line with its mandate to ensure protection of the people, property, infrastructure and material resources in order to minimize the losses.



The government has allocated Rs2 billion for investment under the Disaster Relief Fund, created by the provincial government to manage future disasters, which is a first of its kind initiative in the province.

The official also urged the media to play its role in creating awareness during disasters. It was necessary for the media to be updated with relevant information so that it could be disseminated in a timely manner and augment PDMA efforts, he added.

According to the authority, the southern parts of Balochistan, including the districts of Turbat and Gwadar, are prone to flash floods during the rainy season, with water in the Shadikor Dam near Pasni often spilling over and wreaking havoc on lives and livelihoods located downstream.

At least 83 people have been killed and 74 others injured in separate rain-related accidents across the country during the month of July, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said earlier this week.

Torrential rains and flash floods destroyed 324 houses and left around 66 partially damaged, and rendered hundreds of people homeless, the authority said.

(With additional input from APP)