Flooded again

Flooded again

The monsoon rains are back in Pakistan and along with them, the flooding. At least 78 people have been reported dead and thousands left homeless within a week of heavy rainfall. The National Disaster Management Authority has declared a state of emergency in several districts and is expecting more rainfall in the coming days.

The picture is all too familiar for Pakistan, as the country has been dealing with some of the worst years of monsoon, where thousands of lives have been lost and millions stranded. The rains have been hitting the same regions and creating another natural crisis.

It was reported earlier in the year that Pakistan’s flood forecasting system is inaccurate and may have been a major hindrance in preparing for the disaster.

The government authorities have, it seems, been unable to foresee the disaster the third year running and precious lives have been lost in a matter of days. It remains to be seen what the levels of preparedness will be should the onslaught continue and the role of NDMA will be highlighted in the weeks to come.

Having seen the worst in the last two seasons, should the government and concerned authorities have been better prepared for this monsoon season?

How can the government ensure the losses are curtailed in this year’s flooding?

Will the government be able to show a better response after experiencing two deadly seasons?

Dawn.com invites its readers to share their views and suggestions…

 

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19 Responses to “Flooded again”

  1. Shahid Butt says:

    Where is Mr Bilour Railway minister, He should give his $100000 to these people.I hope Dawn can send message to him.

  2. i belong to a cadet collage in suburb of jaffarabad.the area pertain to collage has lost every thing people are living on roads even our collage’s roof turned in to a camp.but their in no any sign of relief from govt side as well as public after 9 days of flood .today the water level increased by 3 to 4 inches.people are marooned and the area include our collage have nothing only water and end less tensions.

  3. Taxla says:

    All above comments are so negative about the government’s inactivity to initiate plans to manage rain water more effectively. However governments all over the world are powerless in front of the force of nature and your country is no exception. I suggest change in attitude will help a great deal, therefore, ask not what government can do, ask what you can do for the people. Armed with this attitude, maybe you will get somewhere about this annual mennace and if you don’t, then you will have nobody to blame but yourself.

  4. Tahir Alam says:

    The government is lacking any will to solve this recurring problem. The government should change the current NDMA management and place competent persons there and give them a time frame to come up with solutions.

  5. NASAH (USA) says:

    Floods are disasters that visit Pakistan like a clockwork every year — why the government doesn’t do anything to control it?

  6. Latif Khan says:

    My advice is simple to design a complete flood controlled systems with proper risk assessment. This can be planned in Pakistan. This scheme can be approved by World Bank or other similar organisations. should not be limited to above but includes ample storage facilities both in Punjab and Sindh. The purpose of this scheme must be to protect agriculture land, houses, lives and country reputation.It shall be available for irrigation, drinking and utilities.
    This scheme requires host of back up services and management skills for the successful completion, operation and maintenance. Under World Bank, the country can hire the services of engineering company to complete this work using international standards. This will train local people and engineers to become valuable assets in the country.

  7. Zubair says:

    Where ever there is sycophancy, nepotism and superseding of merit in recruitment, incompetence would be at its height!

  8. Abdul Rehman Bodla says:

    Floods can be curtailed and handled with huge efforts if not with ease. Only problem lies with the Govt’s will. Authorities are busy in quarreling with the institutions and have no agendas and beforehand preparations that are highly essential for the resolution of a crisis like circumstances that are prevailing in flooded areas. NDMA has proved itself a dithery authority that has no portfolios and set of planning to overcome a crisis like situation.There would be no responsive policy by govt like the previous years to tackle this issue because the Govt only involves itself in those issues that prolong its tenure and have no concern with the welfare of the poor people who are making themselves habitual of living in crisis all the time. Media can play its coercive role by telling authorities the repressive condition of flood victims.

  9. KCK says:

    Floods are the problem for all who are affected. This include politicians, government officials, and general public. Why people do look for government to take care of floods and solve the problems created by floods. People should work with the government and the officials and face the problem together. It is our problem and we should all together bring this problem under control.

  10. Syed Hassan says:

    Dear All
    I will make you aware of the current situation after rain in Jaffarabad District. That water is flowing with full flow over the road. And cause damage to lcattle and people in the area. apart from this the whole area is covered with water. Even you cant see the roofs of the local residents. As I am inside the power Plant. The level of the flooding water is touchingour plant wall. And there is chance of damaging to the IPP in Jaffarabad district.
    It is occured in the first time of the plant life. Therefore people hasnt make any arrangements for its integrity. There is huge investment loss for the foreign investors. if they couldn’t manage to devlop the the system .

  11. raika45 says:

    No country in the world can protect it’s self when heavy rains bring bad floods.Look at the hurricane in Florida, the mega floods in Thailand and China.To mitigate the damage is another thing.How well prepared are you in advance of the floods.Like my country ,Malaysia floods usually occur during December and January.Every year the authorities start preparing for the “impending” floods.Shelters are prepared,ample food for victims is kept ready and flood prone area people are told in advance where to go and how to store their belongings before the floods arrive.Such groups of people in shelters have a common kitchen.Everybody gets fed equally.Your problem is the diverse scattering of your huge rural population. Add to this the religious bias among your people.Pakistan may not be able to control the floods especially in ares where drainage does not work due to terrain or other factors,but you can plan ahead to take care of the victims.How to house and feed them.

  12. Nisar Langove says:

    Rain is on of the biggest blessings of Allah, but we just because of our lethargy and inefficiency turn it a disaster for ourselves. Instead of learning a lesson from previous two disastrous seasons which took thousands of precious lives, we are so busy in each others leg pulling that we forgot to devise a strategy in order to face the expected floods caused by moon soon. Now, what we can do is only prayers that Allah save us from the consequences of floods and for future we should build many short dams so that we would be able to conserve water for future usages and avoid the future floods.

  13. Maryam Naseer says:

    Flood will come again and again, will pass on from this year to next year as moon soon have to rain every year in Pakistan. The misery with Pakistan is, “WE NEED RESPONSE OF GOVERNMENT BEFORE THE RAINS, NOT DURING FLOODS”, we need to build small scale dams and clean our canals before rains so that when this season comes, poor people enjoy it to the fullest instead of struggling and coping with water OR the second option is TO PRAY MOON SOON NOT TO RAIN IN PAKISTAN, best and easy option for our Democratic government of the people, for the people, by the people.

  14. Safia says:

    Any government should have been better prepared after the last 2 monsoon season. But obviously any general rule doesnt apply to this government. The government is too busy with municipal elections, swiss authority letter etc etc… they dont have time to think and take remedial actons for curtailing losses. I dont think this year would be different from last year.

  15. Tanvr Afgan says:

    The irrigation department along with the local bodies and now the NDMA are among the most corrupt and inefficient departments in the country. Privatize or outsource everything with strong oversight and you may have a solution; otherwise things will remain as they are. But beware of NGOs; in Pakistan they either work with an agenda or are money making institutions. In deeper thought, let me say that what can you do when corruption is endemic and the elite especially the politicians are in the forefront to rape this great country.

  16. asim says:

    these rains should be used as an opportunity to make dams and reserviors to store water for future use

  17. Raza says:

    The only thing that will happen is that the people associated with NDMA will make heaps of money give out contracts to their near and dear ones who will also make money and the poor and shelter less will remain miserable.
    I personally know such a person who before the previous floods was asking for money and after the tent contracts is now living in a 30 million rs house in DHA

    Go figure

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