Pakistan, July 23 -- President Asif Ali Zardari has directed federal, provincial and local authorities to intensify preparedness, rescue and relief efforts as heavy monsoon rains continue to batter Pakistan, increasing the risk of floods and other weather-related disasters.

Read More: Monsoon alert: Karachi, Hyderabad face urban flood threat

According to a statement issued by the President's Secretariat on Thursday, the president instructed all relevant institutions to strengthen coordination as the country enters a critical phase of the monsoon season. He warned that persistent rainfall could trigger flash floods, cloudbursts, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), landslides, river flooding and urban flooding in vulnerable areas.

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