Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) successfully concluded a two-day simulation exercise titled “Winter Freeze,” from December 3 to 4, 2024, at NDMA HQ in Islamabad.
The initiative aimed to enhance disaster preparedness and response mechanisms against winter-related disasters, including extreme cold weather, smog, and earthquakes.
Multiple simulated scenarios
The simulation comprised multiple challenging scenarios. A severe blizzard was simulated to strike Pakistan’s northern areas, leading to snowstorms, road blockages, power outages, and tourists stranded in remote locations.
Another scenario involved a major earthquake affecting northern Balochistan and southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, testing the effectiveness of rescue operations, medical response, and humanitarian aid delivery in isolated regions.
Additionally, the exercise addressed the persistent smog that plagued parts of Punjab, particularly Lahore, in October and November. The focus was on assessing the health impacts of air pollution, implementing emergency medical responses, and strategizing measures to mitigate future risks.
SimEx sees active participation of various institutes
The exercise saw active participation from provincial disaster management authorities, the Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA), law enforcement agencies, and representatives of various humanitarian organizations.
“Participants acknowledged the platform provided by NDMA for preparedness and timely measures to deal with disasters and also gave their feedback and suggestions so that possible future disasters can be avoided,” stated the NDMA in an official release.
The initiative reflected Pakistan’s commitment to improving disaster resilience amid increasing climate challenges.
Simulation exercises, commonly referred to as SimEx, are crucial tools used globally to test and improve community preparedness and to develop contingency plans. For Pakistan, a country ranked as the 5th most vulnerable to climate change according to the Global Climate Risk Index, such exercises are imperative.
The 2022 floods, which affected over 33 million people and caused economic losses exceeding $30 billion, underscored the nation’s susceptibility to extreme weather events.