Flood body only ‘copy-pasted’ reports
An aerial view shows properties surrounded by floodwater, in the aftermath of Storm Henk, on an island in the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames, Britain, January 5, 2024. PHOTO: REUTERS
The Senate Standing Committee on Water Resources on Thursday directed the Federal Flood Commission (FFC) to submit its 10-year performance report, voicing frustration over the lack of changes in the reports filed since 2017.
“All the reports filed by the Federal Flood Commission appear to be ‘copy-pasted’,” noted Senator Shahadat Awan, who was chairing the meeting, adding that there were not even any alphabetical differences between them.
He continued that the commission sought billions in funds every year. “The commission should at least show something [performance] for it”.
Senator Awan observed that the FFC chairman had presented a report in 2021 and furnished the same one again now.
FFC Chairman Ahmed Kamal in his briefing informed the Senate panel that the National Flood Protection Plan (NFPP) had been updated.
He added that 375 new projects had come up in the NFPP for which Rs825 billion would be required.
“So far these projects have not received support from foreign donors,” he informed the Senate committee.
The FFC chairman further informed the panel that 170 projects – including for 12 districts of Punjab – had been placed in phase one.
“Some of these projects have been approved and sent to the Planning Division.”
Expressing his ire over the repetition of reports, Senator Awan sought details of the projects.
During the briefing, the Senate committee was informed about the availability of water in Rabi and Kharif seasons.
The panel was briefed that over 100 million cubic meters of water was available in both the seasons.
Senator Humayun Mohmand inquired how Egypt, which had less than half of Pakistan’s water, managed to use it more effectively to irrigate its land.
He noted that Mangla Dam in Azad Jammu and Kashmir filled up once in every five years.
He continued that Sindh and Balochistan were crying for water.
“If a dam is built in Kot Mithan [in Rajanpur district of Punjab] these problems can be solved.” He highlighted the significance of managing water flows from Tarbela dam, stressing the annual deadline of August 20 for reservoir levels.
During the meeting, Senator Faisal Vawda observed that there were no preparations for the upcoming monsoon season.
He feared that the monsoon season could bring great destruction.
The senator warned that cleaning the drains alone would not help in averting the potential disaster.
He lamented the government’s failure to learn from past experiences, regretting that it was dragging the country back into a flood catastrophe.
Vawda stressed the urgent need to empower the FFC, adding that handing over this responsibility solely to the provincial authorities would be insufficient.
The chairman of the committee said the FFC maintained that it was operating with its full strength of employees, but it was apparently understaffed.
To this, Federal Water Resources Minister Senator Musadik Malik replied that he was responsible for this matter. He promised to fill out the vacant posts.
“I will bring all the plans regarding recruitment in the next meeting.”
Senator Awan observed that the monsoon season would start from July 1.