NDMA chairman says Thar deaths are not connected to drought

NDMA Chairman says "no confirmation of severe famine", with a January report citing only a "mild drought".

According to reports from the Sindh Government, there is no direct connection between the drought and the death toll, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Saeed Aleem said on Friday evening, Express News reported.

Talking to Express News, he clarified that there was no confirmation of "severe famine" as had been reported in the media.

He added that, according to data in a January advisory by the National Drought Management Centre, a department that falls under the Pakistan Meteorological Department, only a “mild drought” was indicated in Cholistan, Tharparkar, Sukkhar, Khairpur areas.

He said that the media had highlighted the situation but the facts on ground are yet to be verified. He added that data from the Meteorological Department indicated annual rainfall of 70% in Tharparker district last year, according to which the drought situation does not seem severe.