Glacier melting triggers flood alert in K-P

PDMA takes decisive actions in flood relief

PESHAWAR:

Meltwater from the Laohugou No. 12 glacier, flows through the Qilian mountains, Subei Mongol Autonomous County in Gansu province, China, September 27, 2020. Glaciers in China's bleak, rugged Qilian mountains are disappearing at a shocking rate as global warming brings unpredictable change and raises the prospect of crippling, long-term water shortages, scientists say. Picture taken with a drone. REUTERS

Meltwater from the Laohugou No. 12 glacier, flows through the Qilian mountains, Subei Mongol Autonomous County in Gansu province, China, September 27, 2020. Glaciers in China's bleak, rugged Qilian mountains are disappearing at a shocking rate as global warming brings unpredictable change and raises the prospect of crippling, long-term water shortages, scientists say. Picture taken with a drone. REUTERS

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has raised a flood alert in response to the melting glaciers in several districts, signaling potential hazards to the local population.

The alert encompasses nine districts, including Chitral Upper, Chitral Lower, Swat, Dir Upper, Dir Lower, Kohistan Upper, Kohistan Lower, Mansehra, and Kurram District.

Muhammad Qaiser Khan, the Director-General of PDMA, has stressed the importance of proactive monitoring by district administrations and relevant departments to ensure the safety of the local population. With the threat of imminent floods looming, timely evacuation protocols are being put in place to mitigate the potential loss of life and property.

In line with these precautions, the PDMA has ensured the operational readiness of its control room, providing a direct line of communication for the public to report any emergencies or concerns. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has also issued nationwide instructions in anticipation of an upcoming weather system expected to impact Pakistan from April 23 to April 29.

In response to the heightened risk, the K-P government has taken decisive action by releasing funds to the PDMA to aid in flood relief efforts.

Under the directives of Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, the distribution of financial assistance to families affected by recent rains has been accelerated.

The PDMA has disbursed Rs50 million, allocating funds to various districts, including Nowshera, Lower Dir, Swat, Malakand, Upper Dir, Tank, Lower Chitral, Battagram, Karak, Peshawar, and Charsadda.

According to details, Rs20 million have been released for district Nowshera, Rs5 million for Lower Dir, Rs3 million each for Swat and Malakand, Rs2 million each for Upper Dir and Tank, whereas Rs1 million have been released each for Lower Chitral, Battagram, Karak, Peshawar and Charsadda. In addition to this Rs10 million have also been released for general relief in Lower Chitral.

Expressing his satisfaction over the steps taken by PDMA and other relevant departments in providing relief to the rain-affected families, Chief Minister Gandapur said that the provincial government will not leave the affectees alone; providing immediate relief to them is the first priority of the provincial government and all available resources are being utilized for the purpose.

Chief Minister Gandapur underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to providing immediate relief to affected communities.

He has directed thorough assessments of damages and swift rehabilitation of affected infrastructure to ensure the timely resolution of public challenges.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 18^th, 2024.