Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Mandates Urgent Maintenance of Early Warning Systems</TITLE]GILGIT: Following devastating flash floods affecting riverside and stream-side communities, Chief Minister Amjad Hussain has directed the Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA) to prioritize the maintenance of early warning systems throughout the mountainous region.

Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Mandates Urgent Maintenance of Early Warning SystemsGILGIT: Following devastating flash floods affecting riverside and stream-side communities, Chief Minister Amjad Hussain has directed the Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA) to prioritize the maintenance of early warning systems throughout the mountainous region.

Presiding over a meeting at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Hussain emphasized the necessity of proactive measures to mitigate the impacts of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) and other climate-driven disasters. The Chief Minister expressed dissatisfaction with recent lapses in drainage maintenance and ordered officials to ensure all flood channels and streams are thoroughly cleared before the monsoon season to minimize potential casualties and property damage.

In an effort to safeguard the region’s 7,000 glaciers, the Chief Minister announced the establishment of a dedicated Glaciers Protection Authority. He also voiced concerns regarding the lack of developmental projects initiated by the Flood Commission within flood-prone areas of Gilgit-Baltistan.

NDMA chief will provide technical assistance to region for glaciers protection

While a former official from the GBDMA claimed that 174 early warning systems are currently operational across the region, local reports suggest critical delays; for instance, during a recent rise in the Hoper River, warning systems reportedly activated only 15 minutes after the floodwaters arrived.

Resources for GBDMA

The high-level session also outlined comprehensive strategies to combat extreme rainfall, rapid glacial melting, and flash floods. NDMA Chairman Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik pledged full cooperation with the Gilgit-Baltistan government to prevent disasters, including providing technical expertise for glacier protection and resources for the GBDMA.

He further noted that the NDMA would assist in training Rescue 1122 personnel. This comes as the GB Assembly has called for a specialized climate fund from the federal government to combat the escalating effects of global warming.

According to a press release, the NDMA chairman’s visit included a review of monsoon preparedness, contingency planning, and resource availability. The meeting involved an extensive evaluation of protocols for managing flash floods, urban and riverine flooding, landslides, and GLOFs.

The NDMA chief instructed all relevant agencies to ensure local-level resource readiness and to prioritize safety measures for tourists during the monsoon season.

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