ISLAMABAD: Pakistan can strengthen its disaster preparedness and emergency response system by adopting key elements of China’s integrated early-warning framework, experts say, as climate-related risks continue to increase across the country.
The Chinese model combines weather forecasting, early warnings, coordinated evacuations, emergency mobilisation and community preparedness, ensuring that alerts are quickly converted into action on the ground.
The discussion follows China’s response to Typhoon Bavi in July 2026, when authorities in Zhejiang province evacuated more than 17,000 people and placed thousands of emergency rescue teams on standby before the storm made landfall.
Experts believe Pakistan can draw lessons from this approach by improving coordination between forecasting agencies, disaster management authorities and local administrations.
Pakistan Faces Growing Climate Risks
The need for a stronger emergency response system has become increasingly important as Pakistan remains highly vulnerable to extreme weather events.
According to the Climate Risk Index 2025 by Germanwatch, Pakistan was the most affected country by extreme weather events in 2022. The devastating floods that year impacted around 33 million people, caused more than 1,700 deaths and resulted in billions of dollars in economic losses.
Recent flooding has continued to highlight the country’s vulnerability, with millions affected by climate-related disasters in subsequent years.
Early Warnings Must Lead to Action
Muhammad Ijaz Malik, Senior Scientific Officer and Head of Agriculture, Forestry and Land Use Section at the Global Climate-Change Impact Studies Centre (GCISC), said Pakistan should make climate and disaster-risk assessments mandatory before approving urban development and infrastructure projects.
He said new settlements, roads and public infrastructure should only be developed after assessing risks related to floods, earthquakes, landslides and other hazards.
“Building regulations already exist, but enforcement must be strengthened, particularly in flood-prone and seismically active areas,” Malik said.
He added that Pakistan already has important disaster management institutions, including the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs), district administrations and technical agencies.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) also provides warnings for floods, heavy rainfall, tropical cyclones and glacial lake outburst floods, while earthquake monitoring continues through its seismic facilities.
However, Malik said the key challenge is creating a stronger link between forecasting, decision-making and emergency action.
Community Preparedness Key to Disaster Management
Experts said disaster warnings are only effective when they reach vulnerable communities quickly and in simple, understandable formats.
Malik stressed the need for regular awareness campaigns, school-based disaster education, evacuation drills and volunteer rescue networks.
“Communities are often the first responders during disasters, making local preparedness essential for reducing losses and improving climate resilience,” he said.
Experts Call for Integrated Emergency System
Muneeb Tariq, a doctoral researcher at the University of Lincoln in the UK, said Pakistan’s rapid urban expansion has often moved faster than its disaster planning capacity.
He said disaster resilience should become part of land-use planning rather than being treated as a requirement after construction begins.
According to Tariq, one of China’s key lessons is the creation of an integrated response chain connecting monitoring, risk analysis, early warnings and emergency operations.
He said Pakistan often has access to warning information, but fragmented responsibilities and unclear institutional coordination can delay effective action.
Tariq recommended clearly defined emergency procedures outlining which institutions issue alerts, approve evacuations and coordinate transport, shelters, relief supplies and rescue operations.
He also suggested establishing trained volunteer groups at the union council level with basic skills in first aid, search and rescue and disaster awareness.
Building a Climate-Resilient Pakistan
Experts believe Pakistan already possesses many of the institutions required for effective disaster management.
The next step, they say, is improving coordination between forecasting systems, emergency response agencies and local communities so that early warnings lead to timely action.
With climate risks increasing, strengthening preparedness and adopting integrated disaster response models could help Pakistan reduce losses and build long-term resilience against future emergencies.
Also Read: PTCL and WWF Join Hands for a Greener Pakistan
Today's E-Paper