Friday, 29 March 2024, 12:52:26 am

Director PMD Dr. Khalid Mahmood Malik
September 11, 2020

Interview of Dr. Khalid Malik (Director Pakistan Meteorological Department)

Pakistan Meteorological Department Director and spokesperson Dr. Khalid Malik says that variation in climate change and temperature affected the natural weather system, resulting in recent heavy downpour and flashfloods in Sindh especially in Karachi.  

In an exclusive interview with News and Current Affairs Channel of Radio Pakistan this evening, he said such variation in climate change results in occasional bouts of drought and also disturbs rainfall pattern in various parts of the globe. 

The PMD Director said we had warned in June this year that various parts of the country, including Sindh, would witness twenty percent more rains in August. 

He said all departments concerned, including NDMA, were disseminated timely information and alert about the expected rains and flash floods in Karachi. The Director said that infrastructure of Karachi was not strong enough to cope with the rainfall of 600 millimeter of precipitation in Karachi, which made urban flooding severe.  

Talking about climate change, he said forests, greenery and hilly areas in any country help in the development of clouds and result in more downpour as compared to plain areas. He further said anthropogenic activities in Karachi and Faisalabad are badly affecting the environmental pollution.  The Director said Tarbela and Mangla dams are main reservoirs in the country, which carry huge significance not only for irrigation system, but also for agriculture sector.

He said the department is replacing old and obsolete radars to improve weather forecasting system, adding that one radar, having an effective radius and range, has already been installed in Islamabad, while another is in installation mode in Karachi.  The director further said these radars will help monitor thickness of clouds and deep weather system, both in summer and winter.

Terming social and electronic media as an important tool to disseminate accurate and speedy information, he said PMD is working on a project with an aim to "generate important messages" to target users living in Tharparkar-like areas. 

Talking about working and role of Pakistan Meteorological Department, he said the department is responsible for providing meteorological services throughout the country to wide variety of interest and for activities which requires climatic information. He said we provide accurate and timely information to end users, who are directly or indirectly, are likely to be affected due to rains.

In pursuance of its objectives , he added, besides meteorology, the department is also involved in monitoring as well as investigating weather phenomena, astronomical events, hydrology and research in astrophysics. It also looks into climate change and studies on aeronautical engineering as well as renewable energy resources across various parts of the country.

Talking on agriculture sector, he said, the PMD also makes seasonal forecast for farmers, agricultures and growers on how to protect crops in different seasons.

Referring to earthquake technology in the country, he said, Pakistan stands at par with the developed countries in terms of technology, however, prediction about earthquake cannot be made early.

 

Credits

Host: Javed Hussain, Muhammad Tariq Chaudhary (Controller, NCAC)

Producer: Imran Latif

Executive Producer: Muhammad Tariq Chaudhary