Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) introduced a mobile app to alert the public to impending disasters and provide essential safety guidelines.
NDMA’s initiative is part of the response to weather forecasts predicting rain and snowfall across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan, Murree, and Galliyat in the upcoming week. Such conditions raise the risk of landslides and substantial snow accumulation, potentially disrupting road connectivity.
To mitigate the impact of these weather events, the NDMA has issued directives to relevant departments to enhance weather awareness and safeguard tourists and travellers. The authority has called for heightened readiness among Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs) and other key agencies to address emergencies efficiently. Emphasis has been placed on the local administration’s need to facilitate the swift deployment of emergency services and machinery to regions prone to adverse weather, particularly mountainous and snow-laden areas.
Additionally, the NDMA has underscored the importance of promptly evacuating individuals from areas deemed vulnerable to risk. Continuous river and canal water level surveillance is mandated, alongside the reinforcement of communication networks and support systems. Officials are tasked with disseminating public awareness messages in local languages, ensuring the preparedness of emergency response teams, and the availability of requisite machinery in landslide-susceptible locales.
Farmers are advised to adjust their agricultural practices based on weather forecasts, while tourists planning visits to hill stations are urged to remain cognizant of local weather conditions. It’s recommended that travellers keep essential contact numbers of local authorities handy for any assistance during their journeys.
