PDMA Initiates Winter Contingency Planning to Enhance Disaster Preparedness

Peshawar, October 3 (ONLINE): The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), working under the guidance of the Relief, Rehabilitation & Settlement Department in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has launched the process of developing the Winter Contingency Plan for the 2023-24 season. This initiative aims to minimize disaster risks, identify hazards, assess vulnerabilities, and map available resources for a well-coordinated and timely response.

In this regard, a crucial pre-winter planning and orientation meeting was chaired by PDMA Director General, Mr. Janat Gul Afridi, gathering Provincial Line Departments and relevant stakeholders. Mr. Afridi stated that the plan, expected to be finalized by mid-November, involves data collection tools sharing information on district-specific hazards, vulnerability profiles, hazard impacts, damages, compensation details, resource mapping, needs assessments, and coordination efforts.

The Winter Contingency Plan will categorize districts based on Vulnerability and Risk Assessment, tailored to address unique weather patterns and geographical challenges faced by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This proactive approach is in alignment with guidelines from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and aims to streamline disaster responses at both provincial and district levels in collaboration with all stakeholders.

By implementing proactive preparedness measures and comprehensive contingency planning, PDMA Khyber Pakhtunkhwa strives to mitigate potential losses caused by winter-related natural hazards such as extreme low temperatures, fog/smog, snowfall, rainfall, landslides, flash floods, and seismic activity, particularly in the mountainous north and west regions. This inclusive exercise focuses on assessing available resources, conducting hazard analysis, and estimating potential relief caseloads as part of planning assumptions, reinforcing the organization’s role in Disaster Management, Disaster Risk Reduction, Preparedness, and Planning.