Lawmakers Urge Swift Action as Glacier Melting and Flood Risks Intensify

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s vulnerability to the escalating impacts of climate change came under urgent discussion during a meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Climate Change held on Thursday. Lawmakers and officials raised alarms over increasing flood threats, the rapid melting of glaciers, and the country’s inadequate disaster preparedness.

The session, attended by members of parliament and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), underscored the pressing need to strengthen early warning systems and bolster resilience at the community level.

Committee member Sahibzada Sibghatullah criticised the effectiveness of the current early warning mechanisms, citing the recent destruction of a bridge in his constituency that went unaddressed despite prior warnings. He called for a more proactive role from the NDMA, stating that disaster management cannot be left solely to provincial authorities.

Responding to concerns, the NDMA Chairman emphasised that while provincial governments bear initial responsibility for disaster response, the NDMA intervenes when crises escalate. He stressed the need to enhance the capacity of District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs), which remain under-resourced and ill-prepared for the scale of challenges posed by climate change.

Highlighting the looming risks, NDMA officials briefed the committee on ongoing glacier monitoring via the Global Glacier Monitoring Portal. They warned that accelerated glacier melting is increasing the threat of both flooding and long-term water shortages—a trend linked to rising temperatures and erratic weather patterns fueled by climate change.

The NDMA Chairman also pointed to poor urban sanitation and unchecked construction along riverbanks as contributors to worsening urban flooding. He called for stricter enforcement to prevent human settlements in flood-prone zones.

With Pakistan losing forest cover at an alarming rate, environmental degradation is amplifying the country’s climate vulnerabilities. Although the NDMA has introduced advanced technologies, including drones and a modern control centre, the Chairman cautioned that early warnings—some issued six months in advance—are ineffective without decisive action on the ground.

The committee was further briefed on forecasts of heavier-than-usual rainfall expected later in July across Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Upper Punjab. Provincial governments and disaster response agencies have been directed to stay on high alert.

Experts warn that Pakistan, which contributes less than 1% to global greenhouse gas emissions, remains among the most climate-vulnerable countries worldwide. Rising temperatures have already caused glacial lakes to burst, flash floods, and drought-like conditions in recent years. The National Assembly committee called for urgent investment in climate resilience, reforestation, and infrastructure upgrades to protect communities from future disasters.