Monsoon havoc

The rain spell has badly affected Karachi, leaving many deprived of the basic needs

KARACHI:

Pakistan’s financial capital, Karachi, has yet again been left paralysed after a new monsoon spell struck the city on Saturday. Several incidents of electrocution were reported with more than 5 dead. The heavy downpour on Sunday left many areas of the city submerged in water, which disrupted traffic and compelled motorists and car drivers to abandon their vehicles and find shelter nearby. Infrastructure including roads, bridges, highways, and residential buildings have been severely damaged.

Despite the Pakistan Meteorological Department’s (PMD) announcements of the recent monsoon spell and subsequent warnings of flash flooding by the Climate Change Ministry, the provincial government and municipal administration failed to prepare adequately and respond to rain emergencies promptly. Although Karachi Police, ordinary citizens and welfare organisations helped rescue stranded people, rescue teams, drainage equipment, and emergency support remained largely absent. Most localities are once again faced with prolonged load shedding. The monsoon devastation is inflicting serious hardships on the people, particularly those who live in low-lying areas.

Given the accelerating weather patterns, monsoon rains are expected to increase in both intensity and frequency. Karachi’s vulnerable infrastructure coupled with poor disaster management response is raising concerns about the survival of the city and its residents in the coming years. The provincial government can no longer get away with futile words and must take vigorous action to resolve the city’s drainage problems and improve disaster management response. More importantly, the provincial government must work with both the municipal administration and the federal government to reform existing infrastructure and build climate-resilient infrastructures. Without timely, comprehensive, and adequate prevention measures, the city and the country at large will soon be faced with a grave climate crisis, which will threaten the livelihoods of millions.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 26^th, 2022.

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