Abstract
Pakistan, like many other countries, faces various types of disasters, and the severity of these challenges is expected to worsen without proper management strategies. This study examines the monitoring of disasters and the effectiveness of Early Warning Systems (EWS) in Pakistan. Amongst disasters, water-related calamities such as floods, droughts and cyclones pose significant threats to the country. The qualitative data collected through field survey revealed that floods are monitored but highlighted the need for improved communication and dissemination of estimated volumetric rainfall alerts to enable effective planning by authorities and communities. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) sends flood-related information to the respective District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), which relies on focal persons and field staff to inform people. Communication channels have evolved, with social media becoming a primary source along with field staff, and SMS alerts sent by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to at-risk communities. Collaboration with NGOs and the use of radio messages further contribute to information dissemination. However, significant challenges and bottle necks exist in pre-disaster planning and post-disaster response. The findings emphasize the importance of effective communication, improved EWS, and coordinated efforts among government agencies to reduce the risk and impact of disasters in Pakistan.
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