President asks authorities to intensify monsoon preparedness across country

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday directed federal, provincial and local authorities to strengthen rescue, relief and preparedness efforts as ongoing monsoon rains continued to affect different parts of the country.

According to a press release issued by the President’s Secretariat, the president called for coordinated action as Pakistan entered what it described as a critical phase of the monsoon season. The statement said increasing rainfall had raised the risk of flash floods, cloud bursts, glacial lake outburst floods, landslides, river flooding and urban flooding in vulnerable areas.

Zardari also expressed grief over deaths and the damage caused to houses, infrastructure and other property in rain-related incidents. He directed the National Disaster Management Authority, Provincial Disaster Management Authorities, and provincial and local administrations to remain closely coordinated and ensure that early warnings were communicated to the public in time.

The president’s directions were issued amid continuing monsoon conditions, with the official statement stressing the need for faster preparedness and response measures by all relevant authorities.