ISLAMABAD – Pakistan is bracing for tougher climate challenges ahead, as the NDMA chief Lt Gen Inam Haider has warned that climate impacts may escalate by 22% next year, threatening glaciers, rivers, and vulnerable communities across the country.
Briefing the Public Accounts Committee, he said the monsoon season is expected to persist until September 10, with authorities monitoring reservoirs closely to manage flood risks. Already, nearly 150,000 residents have been evacuated from flood-prone Sutlej River areas.
In the northern Gilgit-Baltistan region, relief and recovery efforts are underway following devastating floods. The NDMA confirmed that 2,100 tons of relief supplies have been dispatched, while families in low-lying zones along water channels are being urged to relocate immediately.
Federal Climate Change Minister Dr. Musadik Malik issued an even grimmer forecast, predicting that 2026’s monsoon could be up to 30% stronger, begin two weeks earlier, and extend longer than usual, with two to three additional rain spells.
The NDMA’s warning underscores Pakistan’s position as one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations, despite contributing little to global emissions. Officials and experts stress that the country must ramp up adaptation measures, disaster preparedness, and community resilience before the next monsoon season.