Flood damage can be reduced via resilience
Villagers carry goats away from their flooded homes in Badin. Recent monsoon rains have left scores of villages submerged across Sindh, while the swelling Indus River has created the threat of further flooding in the province. PHOTO: PPI
Disasters, \natural or otherwise, can be prevented with better strategy and planning along with developing strong resilience.
This was suggested by speakers during an interactive session on Disaster Risk Reduction on Sunday. The session had been organised by the Institution of Engineers Pakistan Rawalpindi-Islamabad Centre (IEP-RIC) as part of their Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme to educate young engineers about their role and responsibilities for better disaster risk management.
Brig (retired) Engr Fiaz Shah, the former director-general of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), highlighted preventive measures which can be taken to reduce or minimize disaster hazards.
He added that disasters, both natural and geophysical could be prevented with better strategy and planning. He pointed to various studies and experiences of some foreign countries who have successfully prevented disasters and to overcome damages.
Brig Shah called for adopting a pro-active approach for disaster-prevention and reducing the impact of hazards.
Damages caused by disasters such as floods, he said, can be reduced by creating strong resilience at the national and public-level.
Published in The Express Tribune, Septe0mber 21st, 2020.