National
Post Monsoon-2017 Review Conference held at National Disaster Management
Authority (NDMA) here on Tuesday. The Conference was presided over by Chairman
NDMA Lt. General Omar Mahmood Hayat.
While welcoming the participants of
the Conference, Member Operations NDMA, Brigadier Mukhtar Ahmed presented a
countrywide overview of the Monsoon Season-2017. He shared the overall damages
caused during Monsoon-2017 in various parts of the country and highlighted the
relief measures taken, weaknesses/shortfall identified, and presented
recommendations for the better preparedness for the upcoming Monsoon
Season-2018.
Structured presentations were given
by the representatives of all provincial and regional Disaster Management
Authorities, (PDMAs) including State Disaster Management Authority (AJK) and
Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority. Representatives from Pakistan
Meteorological Department (PMD), Federal Flood Commission (FFC), National
Highway Authority (NHA) and Tarbela Dam and Mangla Dam Authorities, WAPDA,
SUPARCO and Engineers Directorate, GHQ also presented measures taken by their
respective departments for the flood prevention and rehabilitation during
Monsoon-2017 and their preparations for next Monsoon Season-2018.
Chairman NDMA Lieutenant General
Omar Mahmood Hayat while appreciating the efforts of all concerned, highlighted
that extreme catastrophic events mainly floods present major challenge for
Pakistan. Since the Super Floods of 2010, where precious 200 lives were lost
beside billions of dollars of financial losses to the national exchequers, the
Government of Pakistan has been adopting various measures at different levels
to fill the gaps which were identified. “Although we have come a long way and
stand much better today than in 2010/ 2011, still there are gaps which need to
be addressed” he continued and said that constant meetings and discussions
among stakeholders like today not only enable us to understand each other but
also help us to be better prepared for future. He noted that besides
consolidating the losses and experiences of Monsoon 2017, today’s Conference
had provided a more refined input for the preparation of Monsoon 2018. Chairman
NDMA assured the various stakeholders that NDMA acknowledges the valued input,
recommendations and experiences rendered by participants in the conference
which will be evaluated for incorporation in our future Guidelines. He
concluded after this conference Disaster Management Structure of the Country
will take on the impending Monsoon Season in a more confident, professional and
prudent manner in close collaboration with all stakeholders at National/
Provincial level, UN & Developmental Partners.
Later, a periodical coordination
conference presided over by Chairman NDMAs was also held where all the DGs of
provincial/regional Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs) participated to
discuss improved coordination among the Disaster Management Structure of the
country to ensure smooth working.
