Islamabad: Meteorologists are urging the public and relevant government departments to pay serious attention to the forecasts issued by the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), as the ongoing monsoon spell is expected to intensify, leading to potential flooding in rivers.

According to Radio Pakistan, DG PMD Sahibzad Khan highlighted that the PMD had issued warnings about the severe rains well in advance, yet these forecasts are not taken seriously by the concerned authorities. He emphasized that the department provides advanced, impact-based forecasts, including potential cloudburst information derived from temperature and humidity levels, but these are often overlooked.

Ahmad Kamal, another meteorologist, stressed the importance of proactive measures in response to the annual monsoon rains, which have been increasingly severe due to climate change. He noted that federal institutions need to be more active, as Pakistan is among the countries most affected by climate change, with rising temperatures causing glaciers to burst. Kamal emphasized the necessity for Pakistan to prepare for future challenges and mentioned the PMD's efforts to adopt modern technologies.

Dr. Ijaz Ahmad pointed out that while early warning systems for rains and floods are generally effective, the frequency and severity of torrential rains and cloudbursts have surged this year, presenting a grave situation. The limited time for rescue operations and non-compliance by tourists with safety instructions exacerbate the problem. Ahmad also mentioned the need for infrastructure to preserve rainwater for daily use, noting that even developed countries struggle with the sudden nature of cloudbursts.