-In meeting with NDMA Chief, Chinese Envoy stresses to further expand existing working relations with Pakistan
-Suggests MoU between NDMA, China’s MEM to boost National Preparedness Response
By Anzal Amin
ISLAMABAD: Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik met Chinese Ambassador Nong Rong and acknowledged the continued assistance from China for the rehabilitation phase in flood-affected areas.
Both discussed the various aspects of mutual collaboration and proactive approach to disaster management in Pakistan, a news release said. The Chairman NDMA thanked the overwhelming support by the Chinese Government in rescue and relief operations during Floods 2022. He shared details of the transformation plan of the futuristic and technology-driven National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) which will be the interface of integrated emergency response with all Government stakeholders, humanitarian agencies and international Donors.
The Ambassador underscored the strong collaboration at the front of climate-induced disaster management and stressed further expansion of the existing working relations with Pakistan.
He suggested chalking out a comprehensive bilateral MOU between NDMA and the Ministry of Emergency Management of China (MEM) for remodeling of the National Preparedness and Response Regime complemented with technology & information sharing, the establishment of Early Warning System and Weather Prediction Analysis. He further stressed enhancing the bilateral communication between NDMA and MEM.
Separately, NDMA on Tuesday issued an advisory based on the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) report that has predicted rain and snowfall in the Western and North Western regions of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
“According to the PMD, a westerly wave has entered the Northwestern parts of Balochistan and is likely to grip upper and central parts of the country on December 28 (night) and continue till the next day”, NDMA news release said.
Under the influence of this weather system, rainfall and snowfall (in hilly areas) is expected in different parts of the country, including: Quetta, Zhob, Barkhan, Ziarat, Nokkundi, Dalbandin, Harani, Qillah Saifullah, Qillah Abdullah, Chaman, Pishin, Gwadar, Jiwani, Turbat, Panjgur, Kalat, Khuzdar, Sibbi, Naseerabad and Lasbella on December 27 (evening/night) to December 29. Moreover, light to moderate rain (with snowfall over the hills) has also been forecast for Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Malakand, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad,Haripur, Mardan, Peshawar, Charsadda, Bajaur, Kurram, Waziristan, Kohat, Sargodha, Islamabad, Murree, Galiyat and Pothohar region on December 28 (night) and 29.
Similarly, light rain is predicted for Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, Multan, Bahawalpur, Rahimyar Khan and Bhakkar during the said period.
