NDMA Warns of Harsher Winter, Stronger Monsoon in Latest Climate Outlook

The National Disaster Management Authority has issued a winter alert, warning that although the duration of the season will remain the same, the coming winter is expected to be significantly harsher. According to the alert, Gilgit Baltistan and other northern areas are likely to experience above-average snowfall, increasing the risk of road closures, avalanches, and disruptions to essential services. NDMA Chairman Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik also noted that monsoon rains in 2026 could intensify by 22 to 26 percent, raising concerns about future flooding and climate-driven disasters.

Minister for Climate Change Dr. Musadik Malik emphasized that the impacts of climate change must be treated as a political and national priority. He highlighted that this year’s floods alone affected nearly 4.7 million people across more than 4,700 villages in Punjab, illustrating the severe human and economic toll of extreme weather. Pakistan has already faced multiple catastrophic floods since 2010, including the 2022 event that caused losses exceeding nine percent of the country’s GDP and resulted in thousands of fatalities. Dr. Malik briefed the media on the government’s preparedness measures following a high-level meeting chaired by the prime minister.

He explained that the national flood management strategy is divided into three stages. The first involves immediate repairs to weakened or damaged flood protection structures. The second stage, spanning one to three years, focuses on upgrading drainage and water channels that are currently too narrow or outdated to handle rising rainfall levels. The long-term phase aims to strengthen climate-resilient infrastructure, ensuring that both rural and urban regions can better withstand future disasters.

Dr. Malik added that the government will also integrate advanced early warning systems at district and tehsil levels. This will allow local officials to receive timely alerts before severe weather hits, improving emergency response, evacuation planning, and coordination among disaster management agencies. The enhanced system is expected to reduce loss of life and minimize damage as Pakistan continues to confront increasingly unpredictable climate patterns.