Excessive rainfall threat
Pakistan is among 20 countries worldwide that are highly susceptible to experiencing excessive rainfall due to climate change, according to a recently study published by FAO. This is a clear warning to countries that have already been reeling with the devastating effects of climate-induced natural disasters.
Recent research has backed past theories by highlighting the fact that climate change is causing weather patterns to become increasingly unpredictable and extreme, with some regions experiencing prolonged droughts while others facing excessive rainfall and flooding. As weather report indicates, Pakistan, due to its geographical location, is in the centre of the storm. The recent floods, which affected over 20 million people and caused billions of dollars in damage, may very well be just the tip of the iceberg and we might witness much greater destruction in the future. As it stands, inaction and lack of international support has exacerbated the situation. The country’s inadequate infrastructure and limited resources make it difficult to prepare and respond to disasters of such high magnitude. In order to combat the current threat, the study recommends that immediate mitigation measures should be adopted, like: improving infrastructure to cope with flooding; promoting sustainable land management practices; and investing in early warning systems to alert communities of impending disasters. If the climate crisis has made one thing clear it is that pre-preparedness and predictability is key to help minimise damage and losses in a pragmatic manner.
Focusing on these issues will require considerable effort and commitment from those at the helm as Pakistan currently suffers from weak governance and political instability. Moreover, the world community needs to acknowledge the urgency of the situation and support vulnerable countries like ours. This support includes providing financial and technical assistance to implement adaptation measures, as well as promoting the transition towards a low-carbon economy. We must act now or suffer later.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 1st, 2023.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.