ISLAMABAD: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Wednesday warned calamity beyond expectations during coming monsoon as urban flooding likely to occur for the first time.

The Chairman NDMA Dr. Zafar Qadir told the media approximately 29 million people would affect from monsoon flooding this year.

He said that the preparedness level of the authority was not up to the mark presently but trying to match the level with the expected calamity.

He highlighted that Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) comprising on 80 scientists termed Pakistan as most vulnerable country, which is likely to receive global climate change effects. He added that Hindukash Himalaya region, Nepal, India, Bangladesh and China are also at the same risk during next decades.

He said that the authority had briefed the situation to the Prime Minister and his cabinet in March this year. He said that provincial governments were informed for financial assistance for preparedness, mitigation and relief activities.

He added that provincial governments were requested to reserve the financial resources of Rs. 200 million as well as the Federal Government was also informed to reserve an amount of Rs. 50 millions. He said that this was the initial estimate and the amount would be increased to handle the expected devastating flood.

The Chairman further stated that under the flash flood the cashment areas of Tarbela, river Swat, Charsada, Nowshehra and Peshawar would be more vulnerable due to heavy monsoon.

He added that under the ravine flood the areas of Southern Punjab, Dera Ghazi Khan, Khushab, Sargodha and upper Sindh would come under water.

He said that land sliding is also expected in northern areas of the country.

To a question the Chairman responded that expenditure details of the preparedness, mitigation and relief activities would be available on the official website of the authority. He added that the authority is presently working to finalize the strategy of relief goods’ distribution.

He said that the authority was committed to fill the gaps remained in the relief activities during 2010 and 2011 floods.

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