LAHORE - WWF-Pakistan has urged the government to improve management of critical watersheds and floodplains for reducing the impact of floods.
WWF-Pakistan Director General Hammad Naqi Khan mentioned deforestation in watersheds and encroachments on floodplains for agriculture, human settlements and other purposes as the main reasons for the increasing devastation caused by heavy rains and floods.
According to the latest Monsoon Daily Situation Report issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), 818,044 people have been affected and 151 have died as a result of floods across the country.
Moreover, the Pakistan Meteorological Department also issued Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) warnings for Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral which is witnessing harsh impacts of extreme weather events associated with climate change.
The threat of GLOFs, cloud burst and flash floods has increased considerably due to higher temperatures and heavy rainfall in GB and the Malakand Division including Chitral. The Met Office has also predicted that low-pressure over North Rajasthan (India) will result into greater rainfall in Southern Punjab.