By Staff Reporter
LAHORE/ISLAMABAD: The disaster management authorities warned of severe thunderstorms, hailstorms, and potential flooding in Punjab province and Islamabad from Saturday, while the Punjab government approved climate resilience projects for the drought-prone Cholistan region ahead of Eidul Azha festivities and a mounting heatwave in the south.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said a westerly weather system could trigger torrential rains, windstorms, and isolated hailstorms across central and northern Punjab through Friday, posing risks of landslides, crop damage, and power outages.
“Heavy rains and windstorms may uproot weak trees, disrupt power supplies, and damage vulnerable structures, vehicles, and crops,” the NDMA advisory stated, urging residents and tourists to avoid unnecessary travel, monitor road conditions, and adhere to safety guidelines in landslide-prone zones. Authorities are coordinating with provincial and district teams to ensure rapid response, it added.
In a parallel move, Punjab’s cabinet committee approved Rs550 million for projects to combat climate impacts in Cholistan, a region hit by recurrent droughts and flash floods.
The measures, approved during a meeting chaired by Provincial Health Minister Khwaja Salman Rafique, include flood protection schemes, water infrastructure upgrades, and population mapping in high-risk areas.
With Eidul Azha—a holiday marked by mass livestock slaughter—approaching next week, the National Institute of Health (NIH) issued dual warnings about Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) and heatstroke risks. The tick-borne CCHF virus, which has a fatality rate of up to 40%, spreads through contact with infected animals or humans.
Balochistan, a hub for cross-border livestock trade, remains the highest-risk region, the NIH said, urging protective gear for handlers and enhanced hospital preparedness.
Simultaneously, the NIH flagged dangers from a heatwave gripping southern Pakistan, including Sindh, where temperatures have exceeded 50°C (122°F) in recent weeks. Heatstroke symptoms such as high fever, confusion, and dry skin could lead to organ failure or death if untreated, the advisory warned, advising hydration and reduced outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours.
Pakistan, ranked the world’s fifth-most climate-vulnerable country in the 2023 Global Climate Risk Index, faces compounding disasters. Catastrophic floods in 2022 submerged a third of the country, while 2024 has brought record-breaking heat, with Jacobabad hitting 52°C (125.6°F) in May.
Analysts say underfunded climate adaptation projects and aging infrastructure exacerbate risks, particularly for rural communities.
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