SPEAK OUT
Nowadays our country, especially the rivers Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej in the province of Punjab, has been experiencing overflowing waters that have gone beyond normal levels, causing widespread destruction and displacement. For decades these rivers remained relatively dry, but during the monsoon season they now overflow and cause massive destruction resulting in infrastructure damage, economic losses and psychological traumas among the affected.
Although flooding is a natural calamity, preventive measures should be taken to protect people and their belongings from its devastating effects. The government has managed to relocate many people to safer areas, but the question remains: will it provide financial assistance to help affected families rebuild their houses? Will it ensure food and shelter for those displaced by the flood? We all know that whenever flooding occurs, rural areas are the hardest hit, where people already struggle to meet their basic needs. As Pakistanis, it is our collective responsibility to support those affected, especially in rural communities where resources are scarce. Before moving forward, let us first ask a simple question: what is a flood?
According to the World Health Organisation, “A flood is the overflow of water that submerges land, usually dry, caused by heavy rainfall, rapid snowmelt, or storm surges from tropical cyclones or tsunamis.” Looking at the history of floods in Pakistan, one finds that they have caused large-scale damage both economically and socially.
The statistics of the 2022 floods are alarming: 33 million people were affected and 1,700 lost their lives. At its peak, one-third of the country was submerged, with economic losses exceeding 30 billion US dollars. The ongoing floods are feared to surpass even these figures, with greater losses expected and more people likely to be displaced due to their severity.
The major cause of these floods is climate change. Although Pakistan contributes very little to global greenhouse gas emissions, it is among the countries most severely affected by climate change. Heavy monsoon rains, accelerated glacial melts and sudden cloudbursts have all intensified the flood situation in recent years. Climate change activists and experts have long warned of extreme weather patterns and their devastating consequences, yet their concerns were not taken seriously by the relevant authorities. The current crisis reflects years of neglect. The need of the hour is to develop stronger infrastructure and sound measures to safeguard vulnerable communities.
No doubt, India has weaponised water to create problems for Pakistan. Both countries must make diplomatic efforts to resolve issues under the Indus Water Treaty so that humanitarian and infrastructural losses caused by floods can be reduced. At the same time, it is the dire need of the hour to take climate change seriously in order to save human lives. The heavy monsoon rains had already signalled the possibility of devastating floods, yet preparedness remained insufficient. We must improve flood forecasting and build more dams to store and regulate water effectively.
Just as in May we stood with our government and army as one nation, today our country and its people are again calling upon us to unite on one platform. At this critical moment, when large parts of the country are submerged, we must set aside disputes and extend support to our fellow citizens. Both financial and emotional assistance are urgently required to help those who have lost their homes, livelihoods and loved ones. Only through unity, better planning and sincere commitment to addressing climate challenges can we protect our people and reduce the destruction caused by recurring floods.