Rains and floods

^{The country experienced heavy rainfall for most of the last week, and the expected flooding that always seems to follow. At least 58 people have died, and almost 1,000 villages have been washed away, with damage extending to all provinces. The National Disaster Management Agency says that the water level in rivers remains dangerously high. With more rain predicted this week, we can expect even more flooding and damage.}

^{Prime Minister Imran Khan has called in the military to help in relief and rescue operations. That would be fine, if not for the fact it seems to happen every year. Yes, climate change is a factor in the intensity of the rain, but the heart of the problem is manmade — incompetence. For too long, elected officials’ strategy for dealing with floods has been to do nothing and blame the other guy, since passing the buck is a national political pastime.}

^{Sindh and the country’s commercial capital of Karachi go underwater every time it rains; and it has been happening for decades. The 12 years of the PPP rule have only seen the situation worsen. Urban Punjab has seen unprecedented flooding in the two years of the PTI rule so far. While the PML-N decade also saw some flooding, many would argue that the previous government took some steps to reduce flash flooding. It is harder to make the same argument for the incumbents. And despite having massive majorities in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa since 2013, the PTI has not been able to address flash floods.}

^{As for Balochistan, this largest province of the country was, is, and from the looks of it, will remain underfunded and terribly managed until competent local leadership and genuine concern from the Centre come to the fore. Thousands of people are marooned in the various areas of the province. Even Gwadar, the supposed jewel in the crown, has not been spared. And what to say of Quetta where road access has been cut off due to flood damage.}

^{Even before the Covid-19 pandemic further weakened the economy, public infrastructure spending saw some deep cuts. The government said they were necessary and the responsible thing to do. It is then fair to ask why they are not taking responsibili}ty for the devastation we see today.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 12^th, 2020.

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