ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed the hope on Thursday that the National Disaster Management Authority would prove to be a `safety wall` against the impacts of climate change.

Speaking during a visit to the authority`s revamped National Emergencies Operation Centre, PM Shehbaz said that climate change had put Pakistan in the red zone among the ten most vulnerable countries.

He said the 2022 floods had inflicted $30 billion in losses, which would take years to overcome.

The federal government alone had spent Rs100bn on the rehabilitation ofthose affected, besides funding from the provinces, as well as aid from friendly countries.

He asked the NDMA to ensure close coordination with the provinces, including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir,and advised the procurement of equipment through coordination to avoid duplication.

The PM applauded the genesis of NEOC with the cutting-edge technology and team NDMA for actualising the first of its kindcentre in Pakistan and the region, which was a testament to the country`s commitment to disaster readiness and mitigation.

NDMA Chairman Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik briefed the prime minister on the capabilities of the NEOC, which is fed by multiple satellite feeds, software and artificial intelligence tools to generate a National Common Operating Picture, strengthening digitalrisk assessment, early warning systems and preparedness strategies for Pakistan.

The briefing highlighted the NEOC`s capability to forecast weather six to ten months in advance, both at the national and regional levels.-APP