More than 20 people dead
KARACHI: More than 20 people died in flashfloods triggered by the recent rains in Pakistan. From Balochistan to Gilgit-Baltistan, flashfloods cost many lives. It is unfortunate that because of poor management, we are not even able to enjoy rains without fearing for our lives.
The country experiences rains every year. It is true that this year the rainy season has been prolonged but it isn’t something that wasn’t already predicted; and if the provincial and federal governments were willing, they could have managed the situation properly. Not only were lives lost in the past few days owing to the downpour, livestock was also destroyed along with people’s houses.
Whether the incumbent governments will facilitate those who lost their property and loved ones is anybody’s guess. If history is proof, we have seen little to nothing being done for people affected by floods even despite promises of assistance. Considering that flashflood triggered by torrential rains is a new phenomenon in Pakistan, provincial governments should have been prepared to deal with the situation.
Kanwal Aslam
Published in The Express Tribune, February 23rd, 2019.
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