NDMA holds conference on preparedness for monsoon season

Islamabad
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) organised a one-day Coordination Conference to review the state of preparedness for monsoon season-2015.
This conference was the culmination of high-level provincial/regional consultative process initiated in April 2015 by NDMA at all provinces, AJ&K, GB and Fata to formulate National Monsoon Contingency Response Directive based on the inputs of all key stakeholders.
The National Conference was attended by representatives from federal, provincial & regional authorities (DMAs), Armed forces, Pakistan Metrological Department (PMD), Federal Flood Commission (FFC), SUPARCO, Rescue-1122, UN organisations, NHN, PHF, Boy Scouts/Girl guides of Pakistan and all relevant provincial & federal departments.
The conference started with opening remarks by NDMA Chairman Major General Asghar Nawaz. During the conference, while presenting Monsoon Outlook 2015 PMD indicated that "slightly below average rainfall monsoon" is predicted for 2015, in which major thrust will be from last week of July to end of August. Higher intensity rains are expected in KP, Northern Punjab, low rainfall is expected in Southern parts of the Country mainly Sindh & Balochistan while drought hit areas of Sindh and Balochistan may have very less rains. Prevalence of strong westerly system in Afghanistan/KP is forecasted and chances of an erratic monsoon vis-a-vis climate change have also not been ruled out. The low rainfall in drought hit areas may aggravate drought situation.
NDMA presented salient of National Monsoon Contingency Response Directive-2015 which is based on experiences of past floods, conclusion of climate and visualisation of well-conceived contingency scenarios. Total four contingency scenarios have been visualised and the Most Likely Scenario is visualised as "Normal Monsoon in the Country". It was highlighted that preparations be made for a normal monsoon and adequate safeguards must be taken for even adverse scenarios to put forth an effective response.
Comprehensive Response Guidelines about Preparedness, Early Warning, Rescue, Relief, Rehabilitation and Coordination Points were emphasised including role of all Disaster Management Organisations, Federal Provincial Departments and Humanitarian Organisations.
Emphasis was also laid on looking after needs of vulnerable groups, aged, disabled, elderly and women.
Brief presentations by various federal government departments, UN and other humanitarian organisations alongside an exclusive coordination discourse marked the proceedings.