Balochistan approves contingency plan amid extreme weather concerns

QUETTA, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th May, 2026) The Balochistan government has formally approved a comprehensive contingency plan to address the looming threat of extreme weather and the monsoon 2026 season. The decision was taken at a crucial meeting of the Provincial Disaster Management Commission, chaired by Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti.

During the session, officials and climate experts warned that global climate change could push temperatures in Balochistan as high as 53 degrees Celsius this year. They also highlighted the possibility of unusual and dangerous phenomena such as sudden cloud bursts followed by heat bursts, which could pose grave risks to human lives and vital infrastructure.

In response to these warnings, the provincial government sanctioned 7.5 billion rupees to strengthen emergency preparedness. The plan includes keeping PDMA offices fully operational at divisional and district levels, ensuring the availability of rescue machinery, tents, medicines, food supplies, and other essentials.

Rescue 1122 centers across all districts will be activated, with future expansion planned at the tehsil level to make relief operations more effective. Hospitals have been instructed to enforce heat stroke emergencies, while medical staff and ambulance services will remain on high alert.

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The government also announced the launch of a public awareness campaign to educate citizens about heatwave precautions. This campaign will be carried out through schools, mosques, traditional media, and social media platforms.

Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, addressing the meeting, stressed that climate change is intensifying the frequency and severity of weather-related threats. He assured the public that the government is committed to protecting lives and property by deploying all available resources. He directed officials to ensure that drainage systems, relief points, and rescue equipment remain fully functional in sensitive districts. “The people of Balochistan will not be left alone in any disaster. A modern disaster management system will guarantee timely action,” he declared.

The meeting was attended by Home Minister Ziaullah Langau, the opposition leader, and secretaries from key departments, along with officials from the PDMA. Their collective presence underscored the seriousness of the situation and the government’s determination to respond effectively to any emergency.